Shelley Fabares facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shelley Fabares
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Fabares in 1991
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Michele Ann Marie Fabares
January 19, 1944 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Other names | Shelly Fabares |
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| Years active | 1947–2006 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Relatives | Nanette Fabray (aunt) |
Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares (born January 19, 1944) is a retired American actress and singer. She is well-known for her TV roles as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963) and as Christine Armstrong on Coach (1989–1997). Her work on Coach earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Shelley also starred alongside Elvis Presley in movies like Girl Happy, Spinout, and Clambake.
In 1962, her song "Johnny Angel" became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart.
Shelley Fabares was born in Santa Monica, California, on January 19, 1944. Her aunt is the famous actress Nanette Fabray. Shelley graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1961.
Shelley's Acting Journey
Starting Out in TV
Shelley Fabares began acting when she was just 3 years old. At age 10, she made her first TV appearance in an episode of Letter to Loretta in 1954.
She also appeared in early TV shows like Producers' Showcase with Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman. She played Young Cathy in a TV version of Wuthering Heights.
Shelley had small parts in movies such as The Girl Rush (1955) and Summer Love (1958). On TV, she was seen in Captain Midnight and Annie Oakley. In 1958, she played Moselle Corey in the TV series Annette, starring Annette Funicello.
She also guest-starred on popular shows like Mr. Novak and The Twilight Zone.
Becoming a TV Star: The Donna Reed Show
In 1958, Shelley got the role of Mary Stone in the family sitcom The Donna Reed Show. This show was very popular and ran until 1966. Shelley quickly became a favorite with teen audiences.
Shelley later said that Donna Reed, who played her TV mom, was "an extraordinary woman of great strength, kindness, integrity and compassion."
Singing Career and Hit Songs
Shelley's popularity led to a record deal. She had two songs that made it into the "Top 40" hits. Her song "Johnny Angel" became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 1962. It sold over one million copies! Shelley released an album called Shelley!. She later said she was "stunned" by her success, adding, "After all, I never could sing."
She released a second album, The Things We Did Last Summer, which included two more hit songs: "Johnny Loves Me" and "The Things We Did Last Summer".
In 1963, Shelley left The Donna Reed Show to try other acting roles, though she did return for guest appearances until the show ended. She released a third album, Teenage Triangle, that same year.
Movies with Elvis and More
Shelley Fabares starred in the surf movie Ride the Wild Surf in 1964. She then became Elvis Presley's leading lady in three movies: Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966), and Clambake (1967). She also sang "Make Me Happy" in the movie Hold On! (1966).
In 1968, she played the love interest of a young Hank Williams Jr. in the film A Time to Sing.
Returning to Television
After her film roles slowed down in the late 1960s, Shelley went back to guest-starring on TV shows. She appeared in The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Daniel Boone, and Medical Center.
Shelley shared that there was a time when it was hard for her to find work. She said the acting business has "busy times and... dead times." After a break, she started working again on shows like Mannix, Longstreet, and The Rockford Files.
She also had supporting roles in TV movies, including Brian's Song (1971), where she played the wife of Brian Piccolo. Her performance in Brian's Song earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
More TV Series and Roles
From 1972 to 1974, Shelley had a regular role on The Brian Keith Show. After that, she continued to guest star on many shows like Police Story, Ironside, and Barnaby Jones.
From 1976 to 1977, she had a regular part on The Practice with Danny Thomas. She also appeared on Forever Fernwood.
In 1978, Shelley played Francine Webster on the CBS sitcom One Day at a Time. She played this role for the last three years of the show. Shelley described Francine as a "wonderful" character who "saw the world only through her eyes."
She also appeared in episodes of The Incredible Hulk and Fantasy Island. In 1979, she starred in the TV series Highcliffe Manor, which ran for six episodes.
The 1980s and Coach
In the 1980s, Shelley Fabares appeared on shows like Mork & Mindy, The Love Boat, Newhart, and Murder, She Wrote.
She also made TV movies, including Memorial Day (1983) with Mike Farrell, who later became her husband.
In 1989, Shelley got the role of Christine Armstrong Fox on the ABC sitcom Coach. She found the series to be "intelligent, funny, well-written." Coach became a big hit and ran until 1997.
For her work on Coach, Shelley was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award. In 1994, she received the Young Artist Foundation's "Lifetime Achievement" Award for her role as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show.
Later Career and Voice Acting
After Coach ended in 1997, Shelley Fabares lent her voice to the character of Martha Kent on Superman: The Animated Series. She voiced the character again in Justice League and in the movie Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006).
From 2004 to 2011, she worked as a producer for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Personal Life
Shelley Fabares was born to James Alan Fabares and Elsa R. Eyler. She has an older sister named Nanette.
In 1964, Shelley married producer Lou Adler. They later divorced in 1980. Since 1984, she has been married to actor Mike Farrell.
In October 2000, Shelley received a liver transplant after being diagnosed with a liver condition.
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
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| 1993 | Primetime Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Coach |
| 1994 | Coach | |||
| 1965 | Laurel Awards | Nominated | New Faces, Female |
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| 2004 | TV Land Award | Nominated | Favorite Teen Dream - Female | The Donna Reed Show |
| 1994 | Young Artist Award | Won | Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award | The Donna Reed Show |
Images for kids
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Shelley Fabares in 1991
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John Saxon, Shelley Fabares, John Wilder and Jill St. John in Summer Love (1958)
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The Donna Reed Show cast in 1958
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Shelley Fabares with James Darren in 1959
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Publicity photo of Shelley Fabares, circa 1966
See also
In Spanish: Shelley Fabares para niños
