Shelley Fabares, Star of 'The Donna Reed Show' and 'Coach,' Dies at 82
Actress Shelley Fabares has passed away at 82, according to reports from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Her family confirmed she died on Saturday following a brief illness.
Fabares was best known for her television roles. She played Mary Stone, the daughter on ABC's classic sitcom "The Donna Reed Show," which ran from 1958 to 1966. Decades later, she starred as Christine Armstrong, the TV news anchor and wife to Craig T. Nelson's coach on the ABC sitcom "Coach," from 1989 to 1997. Per Variety, she earned two Emmy nominations for that role.
Her career extended beyond sitcoms. As a singer, she scored a number-one hit in 1962 with "Johnny Angel." She also appeared in three films with Elvis Presley: "Girl Happy," "Spinout!" and "Clambake." Her other notable TV credit included playing Joy Piccolo in the acclaimed 1971 TV movie "Brian's Song."
Fabares was married to actor Mike Farrell, known from "M*A*S*H," since 1984. The Hollywood Reporter notes she was active in political causes and supported organ donation awareness after receiving a liver transplant in 2000.
