Hollywood is mourning the passing of actress Shelley Fabares at the age of 82.
Best known for her role in hit 1990s TV sitcom “Coach” and, many years earlier, on “The Donna Reed Show,” Fabares had been a constant presence in film and television for decades.
Her death was confirmed by her family, including her husband, former “M*A*S*H” star Mike Farrell.
‘A Beloved Actress’
“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” Fabares’ family said in a statement to People. “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.”
The statement added, “For millions, Shelley was a beloved actress whose work became part of the fabric of American television and film,” they continued. “From her memorable role as Mary Stone on ‘The Donna Reed Show,’ where she also launched a successful recording career with her number one hit, ‘Johnny Angel,’ to her appearances opposite Elvis Presley in three films, her beloved role on ‘Coach,’ and her many other television and film performances, she brought talent, intelligence, and warmth to every performance. But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear.”
‘Generous Spirit’
Farrell and the late star’s family also shared that they “will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage and beautiful spirit” as the statement continued.
“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 statement concluded.
Stardom As a Child and Teenager
The niece of actress Nanette Fabray, Fabares first began modeling at age three, and was just 10 years old when she made her acting debut in 1954 TV series “Letter to Loretta.”
“It’s hard to know who you are and what you are,” she said of being a child actor in a 1994 interview with The Roanoke Times. “The things that go into the making of a child — you’re not totally disciplined, you don’t always behave, you have a sense of freedom — those things are not allowed on a set.”
In 1958, she was cast as the teenage daughter of Donna Reed in her titular TV sitcom. That role catapulted her to stardom, and she remained on “The Donna Reed Show” throughout its run from 1958 until 1966.
A Sideline in Music
In the early 1960s, Fabares branched into music when her “Donna Reed” character began singing in the show.
Her first foray into the music business proved wildly successful when her 1962 single “Johnny Angel” rocketed to No. 1 in the Billboard charts.
Piggybacking on her brief yet meteoric success as a singer, she went on to star alongside Elvis Presley in not one but three different movies.
In 1965, Fabares co-starred with Presley in “Girl Happy.” She then joined Presley the following year in 1966’s “Spinout,” and again in 1967’s “Clambake.”
“It’s afforded me many wonderful memories,” she told told the Orlando Sentinel in 1989. “‘The Donna Reed Show’ changed my life forever. The Elvis movies, just great. And the song, well, I was stunned about that, to put it mildly. After all, I never could sing.”
A Career Comeback with ‘Coach’
In 1989, she was cast in “Coach,” playing the love interest of the title character played by Craig T. Nelson, coach Hayden Fox.
The show became a hit, marking a major comeback for Fabares after a rough career patch.
“I had a four-year period when I couldn’t get work,” she told the Tampa Bay Times in 1990. “And then I’ve had a few years when the only work I could get was an episode of ‘Love Boat’ or ‘Fantasy Island.’ So I’ve been up and down in this business. I’ve fluttered to the top again.”
She remained with “Coach” until its cancelation in 1997. After that, she did voice acting in a few animated series, but essentially retired from acting.
She and Farrell married in 1984, and she became stepmother to his two children from his previous marriage.
“There is a light inside her that is just magical,” Farrell told People in 1991. “I find her a constant source of rejuvenation.” In that same interview, Fabares said of Farrell, “Mike grounds me, and I think I pull him out sometimes. It’s a nice mix.”
In her later years, Fabares devoted herself to fundraising for Alzheimer’s research. “My experience with the Alzheimer’s Association has been one of the most rewarding of my life,” she told the Roanake Times.
