Shelley Fabares, the actress who earned two Emmy nominations for her role on the football-themed sitcom "Coach," has died. She was 82.
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Fabares died Saturday in Los Angeles while surrounded by loved ones, her family confirmed in a statement obtained by Deadline. Her husband, "M*A*S*H" star Mike Farrell, was among the family members announcing her death.
For sports fans, Fabares may be best remembered as Christine Armstrong, the girlfriend and eventual wife of college football coach Hayden Fox, played by Craig T. Nelson on "Coach."
Fabares appeared throughout the ABC comedy's nine-season run from 1989 to 1997, earning two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
But her career stretched far beyond "Coach."
Fabares rose to fame as Mary Stone on "The Donna Reed Show," appearing on the classic sitcom from 1958 to 1965. She also enjoyed success as a singer, with "Johnny Angel" reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962 and eventually selling more than 1 million copies.
Her movie career included another memorable chapter alongside Elvis Presley. Fabares starred with Presley in three films: "Girl Happy" in 1965, "Spinout" in 1966 and "Clambake" in 1967.
Her extensive television credits also included appearances on "The Twilight Zone," "The Incredible Hulk," "Fantasy Island," "Mork & Mindy," "The Love Boat," "Newhart" and "Murder, She Wrote."
"We will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage, and beautiful spirit," her family said. "We will miss her deeply — not only as a celebrated performer, but as the loving and extraordinary person she was in our everyday lives."
