Shelley Fabares, the actress known for her roles in The Donna Reed Show and several Elvis Presley movies, has died. She was 82.
Fabares’ family, including M*A*S*H star husband Mike Farrell, announced that the 2x Emmy-nominated Coach actress died “surrounded by those who loved her” on Saturday in Los Angeles.
“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” the family said. “She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member, and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.”
They added in part, “We will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage, and beautiful spirit. We will miss her deeply—not only as a celebrated performer, but as the loving and extraordinary person she was in our everyday lives.
“We are heartbroken by her loss, yet profoundly grateful for the years we shared with her and for the joy, compassion, and love she brought to so many. We ask that our family’s privacy be respected as we grieve. We take comfort in knowing that Shelley’s work and the memories she created with those who loved her will continue to live on,” the family wrote.
Shelley Fabares and Elvis Presley in ‘Girl Happy’ (1965)
Born Jan. 19, 1944 in Santa Monica, Michele Ann Marie Fabares began acting at age 3, before making her TV debut at 10 in a 1954 episode of The Loretta Young Show. Over the years, she went on to appear in such shows as Annie Oakley, Walt Disney Presents: Annette, The Twilight Zone, The Incredible Hulk, Fantasy Island, Mork & Mindy, The Love Boat, Newhart and Murder She Wrote.
From 1958 to 1965, Fabares was known for playing daughter Mary Stone on the ABC sitcom The Donna Reed Show.
During this time, Fabares also had a recording contract, which resulted in her Top 40 hit “Johnny Angel” going to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962. The song sold over a million copies, becoming certified gold.
Fabares also played Craig T. Nelson’s TV news anchor love interest Christine Armstrong in the ABC sitcom Coach, which ran for nine seasons from 1989 to 1997, earning her two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
On the big screen, Fabares starred opposite Elvis Presley in the movies Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966) and Clambake (1967). Her other films credits include The Bad Seed (1956), Hot Pursuit (1987) and Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)
