Shelley Fabares, star of ‘Coach’ and ‘The Donna Reed Show,’ dead at 82

NY Post ^ | 08/23/2026 | Vanessa Serna

[DFG]

“The Donna Reed Show” alum Shelley Fabares has died. She was 82.

The actress’s family confirmed she died while surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday, People reported.

“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” they wrote in a statement, describing her as a “devoted wife” and “loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her.”

The statement continued, “She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.”

“For millions, Shelley was a beloved actress whose work became part of the fabric of American television and film,” her family continued, highlighting her long-standing career as Mary Stone in “The Donna Reed Show” from 1958 to 1965.

Additionally, she released her chart-topping hit “Johnny Angel” in 1962.

[DFG]

Married to Mike Farrell (BJ on MASH) since 1984. She had a liver transplant in 2000 due to autoimmune hepatitis.

[xp38]

I wonder if she shared his political views?

[fidelis]

Rest in peace, Shelly, and thanks for the memories.

Shelley Fabares - Johnny Angel

[lee martell]

Bye, bye, Shelly. She had a very long career. She always seemed to be a Lady and someone good to know.
I’m aware she was acting, but those were the parts she chose to do, and it was nice to see.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

[Fledermaus]

RIP

Long career and looked like she never aged.

[PGalt]

Condolences to family and friends of Shelley Fabares.

[Mean Daddy]

She used to come back to Denison, Iowa every year for the Donna Reed festival.

[Captain Peter Blood]

Who didn’t have a crush on her in the baby boomer generation growing up.

She was a class act.

[spacejunkie2001]

when I think of her, I think about the Twilight Zone ep with the biker aliens LOL

[MayflowerMadam]

She and Annette Funicello were dear friends since childhood — as Mousketeers, IIRC.

[RandallFlagg]

I wonder if she shared his political views?

If she did, she doesn't anymore.

In other news:
Leslie Parrish died at the age of 90.
She was in Star Trek TOS: "Who Mourns For Adonis?" and the ultimate MST3K classic: "The Giant Spider Invasion."
"PACKERS WON THE SUPER BOWL!!!"



RIP, Ev Kester.


Interesting Star Trek trivia: Leslie Parrish played Lt. Carolyn Palamas in ST:TOS "Who Mourns For Adonis".
Afterword, she played Ev Kester in Bill Rebane's "The Giant Spider Invasion." Her character in that film was married to Dan Kester -played by Robert Easton. Easton then played the presiding Klingon Judge during the courtroom scenes in Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country.

Yep. I'm a nerd...

[God luvs America]

i always liked her- until i read your post she was married to Farrell...

She was great in coach and very much a hottie....

She was also in the original Brian’s Song with James Caan as the wife of Brian Piccolo...that final scene still gets me!!! “Gayle- hurry...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMafPODH-aE

[wally_bert]

The only other celebrity death I read about that didn’t make a big splash was a British guy named Tom Chadbon.

I remember as Duggan from classic Dr Who in the City Of Death serial.

He thumps Julian Glover’s alien character that is instrumental in creating life on earth.

One of my favorites from the Tom Baker era.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

LOL...I'm sitting here trying to place her in..."Leave it to Beaver"!

I found this photo and thought "Wait a sec! Where's Beave? Where's Wally?"

Then it finally dawned on me -- wrong show!

It's funny, I know I very much liked "The Donna Reed Show" (September 24, 1958 - March 19, 1966 -- I was 7 when it debuted), but all I think of is her in Potterville at the library, her singing "Buffalo Gals" and getting her clothes snagged in the buses with Jimmy Stewart acting coy.

[FamiliarFace]

I loved her. I thought she was so great!

RIP, Shelly!

[Kid Shelleen]

One of the many beautiful guest stars of the Rockford Files.

[mowowie]

RIP

[Arkady]

“It’s too bad there’s this little age difference between us...”

[Jim W N]

Fabares (seen above in 2018) was known for her role as Mary Stone in “The Donna Reed Show” from 1958 to 1965.