Who is Shelley Fabares?
Michele Ann Marie Fabares, popularly known as Shelley Fabares, is an American actress and singer. As an actress, Fabares gained prominence playing the oldest child of Donna Reed’s character on The Donna Reed Show. She played a famous role of Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach during the late 1980s up to late 1990s, and had starred alongside Elvis Presley on his three movies: Girl Happy, Spinout, and Clambake. As a singer, Fabares’ most successful single was 1962’s “Johnny Angel”. She also had another Top 40 hit in “Johnny Loves Me” also in 1962.
Early life and showbiz career
Actress and singer Shelley Fabares was born Michele Ann Marie Fabares on January 19, 1944 in Santa Monica, California. She came from a family who had had background in performing and entertainment. In fact, her aunt is another actress, Nanette Fabray, best known for her appearances on the television program Caesar’s Hour as Sid Caesar’s comic partner.
Since she was still a very young kid, Fabares had already been working as a dancer and a model. When she was ten years old Fabares embarked on acting. She made her debut on television by appearing in an episode of Letter to Loretta.
Fabares’ stint on “The Donna Reed Show”
Fabares got her big break when she was chosen to play Donna Reed’s on-screen daughter Mary Stone on the sitcom The Donna Reed Show. The show became a big hit and Fabares was a mainstay there for the next five years. Because of her popularity in the series, Fabares became a young celebrity and was always referred to as everybody’s quintessential “daughter.” Fabares’ “brother” on The Donna Reed Show, actor Paul Petersen, also became famous in his own right. While The Donna Reed Show was still at the peak of its popularity, Fabares left the show in 1963.
Recording career
During their tenure on the show, Fabares and Petersen made good on their fame by securing a recording contract from Colpix, the recording arm of Columbia Pictures Television which created The Donna Reed Show. The show’s producer Tony Owen (who was also Reed’s husband at the time) sought to finance the subsequent recordings of both Fabares and Petersen.
In 1962, Fabares emerged with her debut single “Johnny Angel” which was written by Lee Pockriss and Lyn Duddy. Released on Colpix label, it went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of that year. It sold a million copies and was certified gold. It also peaked at #41 on the UK singles chart.
As far as Fabares’ recording career is concerned, it was just like a short romp, although she went on with more modest and minor hits. They include her last Top 40 hit “Johnny Loves Me” (#21 pop, #7 adult contemporary), “The Things We Did Last Summer” (#46 pop), “Telephone (You Won’t Ring)” (#109 pop) and “Ronnie, Call Me When You Get a Chance” (#72 pop).
Fabares released five studio albums, three of them making it to the Billboard 200:Shelley! (at #106 in 1962), The Things We Did Last Summer (at #121 in 1962),Teenage Triangle (#48 in 1963), Bye Bye Birdie (1963) and More Teenage Triangle (1963). More Teenage Triangle featured four tracks apiece by Fabares, Petersen and another actor/singer James Darren.
Later career
Fabares was said to have never felt at ease in being a singer and recording artist. Following her departure from The Donna Reed Show Fabares pursued a movie career. Her film credits include three movies that starred Elvis Presley: Girl Happy, Spinout and Clambake. Fabares’ acting career began to take a lull until the 1970s when she emerged as an adult actress, appearing on series such as Forever Fernwood, One Day at a Time, and Coach.
Recently, Fabares did mostly voice work. Her credits include Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Superman: Brainiac Attacks.
Fabares has been married to fellow actor Mike Farrell (of M*A*S*H fame) since 1984.
Accolades and Nominations of Shelley Fabares
Shelly Fabares was known as one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood at her time. She is usually in every show and perfectly portrays as a perfect teenage girl whom every girl wanted to grow into. As a result throughout her good acting career, she gained several accolades and nominations. These include:
- In 1993 and 1994, Shelley Fabares was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Coach of Primetime Emmy Award.
- Shelley Fabares got nominated for the New Faces, Female category of the Laurel Awards.
- In the 1994 Young Artist Awards, Shelley Fabares won the Former Child Lifetime Achievement Award in The Donny Reed Show.
- In 2004, Shelley Fabares was nominated for Favorite Teen Dream – Female Category for The Donna Reed Show.
Did you know?
- In the mid-1980s, Shelley Fabares and Heather Langenkamp collaborated on a “Murder, She Wrote (1984) inspired TV series pilot called “Suburban Beat” (1985). They were portrayed as housewives who solved mysteries.
- Shelley Fabares underwent a liver transplant in October 2000 after being diagnosed with severe autoimmune hepatitis.
- Shelley Fabares is the daughter of Elsa Rose and James Alan Fabares. Her mother was born in Manila, Philippines, while her father was born in Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Shelley Fabares has French, Irish, Scots-Irish, German, and English ancestry.
- Shelley Fabares and her aunt Nanette Fabray acted alongside on One Day at a Time (1975), an April 15, 1975 episode of The Hollywood Squares (Daytime), and in three episodes of Coach (1898).
- From 1962-1965, Shelley Fabares acted in a guest role in some TV drama series, such as “The Twilight Zone”, “Mr. Novak”, “Arrest and Trial”, “The Eleventh Hour”, “The Ghost & Mrs. Muir”, “Daniel Boone”, “Medical Center”, “Lancer”, “Bracken’s World” and “The Interns”.
- Shelley Fabares played regular roles in three sitcoms “Forever Fernwood” (1977-1978) with Greg Mullavey, “The Practice (1976-1977) with Danny Thomas, and “The Brian Keith Show” (1972-1974) with Brian Keith.
- Shelley Fabares serves on the National Alzheimer’s Association board and represents as one of its national spokespersons. She views this as one of her most fulfilling experiences.
- An Italian-American actress and singer Annette Funicello and Shelley Fabares are childhood best friends. Shelley served as one of Annette’s seven bridesmaids when she wedded agent Jack Girardi. Shelley and Annette collaborated on the Walt Disney television series “Annette” in 1958.
- Shelley Fabares produced the “Screen Actors Guild Awards” from 2004 to 2011.