Shelley Fabares ws born on January 19, 1944, in Santa Monica, California. Her aunt was actress Nanette Fabray. She began modelling when she was only three years old. She was only ten when she made her television debut in an episode of Letter to Loretta (later retitled The Loretta Young Show). In the Fifties, she guest starred on such shows as Producer's Showcase, Matinee Theatre, Captain Midnight, Annie Oakley, Fury, and Colgate Theatre. She had a regular role on the serial "Annette," staring Annette Funicello, on The Mickey Mouse Club. It was in 1958 that she began playing Mary Stone, the daughter of Donna Stone (Donna Reed) and pediatrician Dr. Alex Stone (Carl Betz), on The Donna Reed Show. She made her movie debut in 1955 in The Girl Rush. In the Fifties, she appeared in the movies Never Say Goodbye (1956), The Bad Seed (1956), Jeanne Eagels (1957), Marjorie Morningstar(1958), and Summer Love(1958)
In the Sixties, Shelley Fabares continued to appear onThe Donna Reed Show, although she eventually left the series for a film career. In the Sixties, she guest starred on the shows Mr. Novak; The Eleventh Hour; Arrest and Trial; The Twilight Zone; The Ghost & Mrs. Muir; Daniel Boone; Lancer; Bracken's World; and Love, American Style. She played opposite Elvis Presley in the movies Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966), and Clambake (1967). She also appeared in the movies Ride the Wild Surf (1964), Hold On!(1966), and A Time to Sing (1968).
In the Seventies, Shelley Fabares starred on the sitcoms The Little People (retitled The Brian Keith Show in its second season) Forever Fernwood, The Practice, and Highcliffe Manor. She also had a recurring role on One Day at a Time as Francene Webster. She starred in the popular TV movie Brian's Song. She guest starred on the shows The Interns; Mannix; Longstreet; Owen Marshall, Counsellor at Law; Love, American Style; McCloud; Cade's County; Police Story; Ironside; The Rockford Files; The Rookies; Matt Helm; Medical Story; Medical Center; Marcus Welby, M.D.; Spencer's Pilots; Lucan; Vega$; The Incredible Hulk; The Wonderful World of Disney; Hello, Larry; Fantasy Island; and Mork & Mindy.
In the Eighties, she continued to appear on One Day at a Time. It was in 1989 that she began playing Christine Armstrong, the girl friend of title character Hayden Fox (Craig T. Nelson), on the sitcom Coach. She guest starred on the TV shows The Love Boat; Newhart; and Murder, She Wrote. She appeared in the movies Hot Pursuit (1987) and Love or Money (1990).
In the Nineties, Shelley Fabares continued to appear on Coach. She guest starred on the shows A Whole New Ballgame (playing Christine Armstrong). She was the voice of Clark Kent's mother, Martha Kent, on Superman: The Animated Series. She reprised the role on the animated series Justice League in the Naughts.
Shelley Fabares also had a brief recording career. Her song "Johnny Angel" went to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. She had further hits with "Johnny Loves Me" and "The Things We Did Last Summer." She recorded three albums on her own and was featured on a few compilations as well.
Chances are good that Shelley Fabares will be best remembered as the popular and sweet, but independent Mary on The Donna Reed Show and the sophisticated and intelligent Christine Armstrong on Coach. Indeed, many of her film roles, from the movies she did with Elvis to the Herman's Hermits movie Hold On!, were very much like Mary. But Shelley Fabares could play other roles as well. On One Day at a Time, she played Francene Webster, the work rival of Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin). While Francene was intelligent like Mary nd Christine, she was also overly ambitious, self-absorbed, sharp-witted, and none too nice. On Highcliffe Manor, she played widow and owner of the manor, Helen Blacke, who was somewhat off-centre and largely oblivious to the sinister goings on at Highcliffe Manor. Shelley Fabares was a remarkable actress who was always a delight in anything she did.
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