Shelley Fabares
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
Fabares underwent a liver transplant in October 2000.
Biography
Pretty, girlish, light leading lady who has enjoyed a remarkably lengthy career in mostly trivial TV fare since the mid-1950s. Beginning in early adolescence in films and TV, Fabares first gained real attention with her role as Mary Stone, perfect daughter to the perfect mom, on the sitcom ode to the 50s nuclear family, "The Donna Reed Show" (ABC, 1958-63). She also enjoyed a hit on the pop music charts at this time, the schmaltzy but fondly remembered Number 1 smash, "Johnny Angel."
Fabares left "The Donna Reed Show" in 1963 (when her character went off to college) and returned to feature films, but, despite roles in three Elvis Presley movies ("Girl Happy" 1965, "Spinout" 1966 and "Clambake" 1967), her career stalled until the mid-70s. A series of sitcom roles followed, either supporting or recurring roles on popular fare ("One Day at a Time," as Bonnie Franklin's uptight, perma-pressed business associate) or leading roles on less successful shows ("The Practice," a lukewarm vehicle for Danny Thomas). The vivacious Fabares nonetheless had become by that time a comfortable, familiar presence to TV watchers. Her role as Craig T Nelson's often frustrated fiance (and later wife) on "Coach" (ABC, 1989-97) represented not only a return to a popular series but also one of her more likable and sizable parts to date.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Producer (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1954
Played Trudy, a small supporting role, on the syndicated series "Annie Oakley"
1955
First notable feature film roles, in "The Girl Rush" and "Never Say Goodbye"
1958
Played Corey on the TV comedy series, "Annette", starring Annette Funicello
1966
Played the leading role of Esther Smith in a TV adaptation of the classic film musical, "Meet Me in St. Louis"
1981
Joined the cast of "One Day at a Time" after it had been on the air for several seasons; played the semi-regular role of Francine Webster which she had originated in the late 1970s
1987
Returned to feature films after nearly two decades to appear in "Hot Pursuit"
Photo Collections
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Family
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
Fabares underwent a liver transplant in October 2000.
