Michele Ann Marie Fabares (/fæˈbreɪ/; born January 19, 1944) is an American actress and singer, known professionally as Shelley Fabares. Shelly appears on Mork and Mindy in the recurring role of Cathy McConnell, Fred McConnell's new wife, in three episodes: A Mommy for Mindy in Season 2 (episode #17), "Mork's New Look" in Season 3 (episode #8), and "The Wedding" in Season 4 (episode #2).
About Shelley[]
Shelley is best-known for her roles as Donna Reed's daughter Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963), and as Hayden Fox's love interest (and eventual wife) Christine Armstrong on the ABC-TV sitcom Coach (1989–1997). She was Elvis Presley's co-star in three films. In 1962, her recording of "Johnny Angel" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Early life / career[]
was born in Santa Monica, California.[1] She is the niece of actress Nanette Fabray.[2] 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 number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962,[2] and peaked at number 41 in the UK.[3] It sold over one million copies and was certified gold.[4]
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), the most by any one actress. In two other 1960s movies, she played the love interest of Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits in Hold On! and of a young Hank Williams, Jr. in A Time to Sing. During the 1970s, Fabares appeared on several television series, including Love, American Style, The Rockford Files, The Interns, Mannix, The Practice, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Fantasy Island. In 1971, she starred along with Billy Dee Williams and James Caan in the successful television movie Brian's Song, the true story of terminally ill Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo. Caan played Piccolo, and she played his wife, Joy. In 1981, Fabares played Francine Webster on the CBS-TV sitcom 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-TV sitcom Coach. For her work, Fabares was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award,[5] 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.[6] After Coach ended in 1997, Fabares voiced the role of Martha "Ma" Kent on Superman: The Animated Series. She reprised the role twice, once for a 2003 episode of Justice League and again for the direct-to-video film Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006).
Personal life[]
Shelley was a lifelong friend of Annette Funicello, whom she met in the seventh grade.[7]
Marriages[]
Fabares married record and movie producer Lou Adler in June 1964; they separated in 1966, and then divorced in 1980.[8] In 1984, she married actor Mike Farrell, and is stepmother to his two children, Erin and Michael.[7]
References[]
- ↑ Strodder, Chris (2000). . Cedco Pub.. ISBN 0-7683-2232-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bronson, Fred (2003). . Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7677-6.
- ↑ Shelley Fabares - Johnny Angel. Chart Stats. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved on 2012-04-04.
- ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). . Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ↑ Lisanti, Tom (2000). . McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0868-5.
- ↑ 15th Annual Youth in Film Awards. YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved on 2011-03-31.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sanz, Cynthia (1991-04-15). Shelley Fabares Fell for a Former M*A*S*H-Er, Mike Farrell People. . 0093-7673. .
- ↑ Shelley Fabares - The Private Life and Times of Shelley Fabares. Shelley Fabares Pictures. Glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-04.
