Shelley Fabares, the actress beloved for her roles as the wholesome daughter on The Donna Reed Show and later as Craig T. Nelson’s independent-minded wife on Coach, has died at 82.
She passed away Saturday in Los Angeles, her family announced.
She is survived by her husband, MAS*H actor Mike Farrell, whom she married in 1984.
In a statement, her family said: “To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter and comfort. She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humour 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.”
Fabares began performing as a young child and broke through as a teen idol playing Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show from 1958 to 1963.
She went on to co-star opposite Elvis Presley in three films, Girl Happy, Spinout and Clambake, and scored a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962 with Johnny Angel.
After a quieter stretch in the 1970s, she found a new wave of popularity playing against type as Francine Webster, a sharp-elbowed business rival to Bonnie Franklin’s character on One Day at a Time.
Her most enduring later role came on Coach, where she starred as Christine Armstrong opposite Craig T. Nelson from 1989 to 1997, earning two Primetime Emmy nominations for the part.
