Shelley Fabares

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Shelley Fabares bigraphy, stories - Actress, singer

Shelley Fabares : biography

January 19, 1944 –

Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares (born January 19, 1944) is an American actress and singer. Fabares is known for her roles as Donna Reed’s oldest child Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963), and as Hayden Fox’s love interest (and eventual wife) Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach (1989–1997). She was Elvis Presley’s co-star in three films. In 1962 Fabares’ recording of "Johnny Angel" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Early life and career

Born Michele Ann Marie Fabares in Santa Monica, California, she is the niece of actress Nanette Fabray. Fabares began acting at age three, and at age 10 made her television debut in an episode of Letter to Loretta. After guest-starring on various television series, Fabares landed the role of "Mary Stone" in the long-running family sitcom The Donna Reed Show.

Her national popularity led to a recording contract and two "Top 40" hits, including "Johnny Angel," which went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962 and peaked at #41 in the UK. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. Fabares left The Donna Reed Show in 1963 (she would return periodically until its end in 1966) to pursue a film career. She appeared in a number of motion pictures, including three Elvis Presley movies: Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966) and Clambake (1967).

During the 1970s Fabares appeared on several television series, including Love, American Style, The Rockford Files, The Interns, Mannix and Fantasy Island. In 1971 she starred as "Joy Piccolo", opposite Billy Dee Williams and James Caan in the successful TV movie Brian’s Song, the true story of terminally ill Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo (played by Caan). In 1981 she played "Francine Webster" on One Day at a Time, a role she reprised throughout the series’ run.

In 1989 she won the role of "Christine Armstrong Fox" on the ABC sitcom Coach. For her work, Fabares was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award, and in 1994, she was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award for her role as "Mary Stone" on The Donna Reed Show. After Coach ended in 1997, Fabares voiced the role of Martha "Ma" Kent in Superman: The Animated Series. She reprised the role twice; once for a 2003 episode of Justice League and again for the 2006 direct-to-video film Superman: Brainiac Attacks.

Personal life

Fabares was a lifelong friend of Annette Funicello whom she met in catechism class in the seventh grade. She also is the niece of singer-actress Nanette Fabray.

Fabares married record & movie producer Lou Adler, in June 1964, separating in 1966 and divorcing in 1980. In 1984 Fabares married actor Mike Farrell, and is stepmother to his two children, Erin and Michael.

In October 2000 she received a life-saving liver transplant after being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center by John Vierling, M.D.

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result Category Film or series
1993 Primetime Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Coach
1994 Coach
1965 Laurel Awards Nominated New Faces, Female
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

Filmography