Shelley Fabares

About

Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares (January 19, 1944 – August 22, 2026) was an American actress, producer and singer. She is best known for her television roles as Mary Stone on the sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963) and as Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach (1989–1997), the latter of which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Her film roles include playing the leading lady to Elvis Presley in Girl Happy, Spinout, and Clambake. As the niece of singer/comedienne Nanette Fabray, she was indoctrinated early into the show biz life. Tap dancing from age three, she also modeled during her elementary school years and began appearing on such TV shows as Captain Midnight (1954) and Annie Oakley (1954) (the latter a recurring role). At age 12, she made her professional film debut in the Rock Hudson/Cornell Borchers tearjerker Never Say Goodbye (1956) as Hudson's daughter,...

Known for

The Love BoatSeries • 1977Murder, She WroteSeries • 1984IronsideSeries • 1967MannixSeries • 1967Love, American StyleSeries • 1969Matinee TheaterSeries • 1955The Rockford FilesSeries • 1974The Twilight ZoneSeries • 1959CoachSeries • 1989NewhartSeries • 1982The Donna Reed ShowSeries • 1958Daniel BooneSeries • 1964The Incredible HulkSeries • 1977Fantasy IslandSeries • 1978Superman: The Animated SeriesSeries • 1996Marcus Welby, M.D.Series • 1969Medical CenterSeries • 1969One Day at a TimeSeries • 1975McCloudSeries • 1970Matt HoustonSeries • 1982The RookiesSeries • 1972Vega$Series • 1978Mork & MindySeries • 1978Justice LeagueSeries • 2001