Shelley Fabares

Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares (/fæˈbreɪ/; born January 19, 1944) is a retired American actress and singer. She is best known for her television roles as Mary Stone on the sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963) and as Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach (1989–1997), the latter of which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Her film roles include playing the leading lady to Elvis Presley in Girl Happy, Spinout, and Clambake. As the niece of singer/comedienne Nanette Fabray, she was indoctrinated early into the show biz life. Tap dancing from age three, she also modeled during her elementary school years and began appearing on such TV shows as Captain Midnight (1954) and Annie Oakley (1954) (the latter a recurring role). At age 12, she made her professional film debut in the Rock Hudson/Cornell Borchers tearjerker Never Say Goodbye (1956) as Hudson's daughter, and went on to play kid sister roles in the rock 'n' roll-themed Rock, Pretty Baby! (1956) and its sequel Summer Love (1957) both starring John Saxon. Teen-idol status came with her coming-of-age role as the ever-wholesome daughter "Mary Stone" on The Donna Reed Show (1958), a part she played for five seasons before embarking on a more grown-up film career. The character of "Mary Stone" was gently phased out of the show as her character "left for college". During its' run, she and TV "brother" Paul Petersen grew so popular that they sprinted to adjoining pop singing celebrity, although both ...

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Girl Happy (1965)

A Chicago mobster hires a rock and roll singer and his band to keep an eye on his daughter during Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Boris Sagal
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Harold J. Stone  •  Gary Crosby

A Chicago mobster hires a rock and roll singer and his band to keep an eye on his daughter during Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Boris Sagal
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Harold J. Stone  •  Gary Crosby

Spinout (1966)

Band singer/race driver Mike McCoy must choose between marrying a beautiful rich girl and driving her father's car in a prestigious race.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norman Taurog
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Diane McBain  •  Dodie Marshall

Band singer/race driver Mike McCoy must choose between marrying a beautiful rich girl and driving her father's car in a prestigious race.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norman Taurog
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Diane McBain  •  Dodie Marshall

Clambake (1967)

The heir to an oil fortune trades places with a water-ski instructor at a Florida hotel to see if girls will like him for himself, rather than his father's money.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur H. Nadel
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Teri Garr  •  Will Hutchins

The heir to an oil fortune trades places with a water-ski instructor at a Florida hotel to see if girls will like him for himself, rather than his father's money.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur H. Nadel
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Teri Garr  •  Will Hutchins

Brian's Song (1971)

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Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Buzz Kulik
CAST:  James Caan  •  Billy Dee Williams  •  Jack Warden  •  Bernie Casey

Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Buzz Kulik
CAST:  James Caan  •  Billy Dee Williams  •  Jack Warden  •  Bernie Casey

Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)

Embittered by Superman's heroic successes and soaring popularity, Lex Luthor forms a dangerous alliance with the powerful computer/villain Brainiac. Using advanced weaponry and a special strain of Kryptonite harvested from the far reaches of outer space, Luthor ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Curt Geda
CAST:  Powers Boothe  •  Dana Delany  •  Lance Henriksen  •  Tim Daly

Embittered by Superman's heroic successes and soaring popularity, Lex Luthor forms a dangerous alliance with the powerful computer/villain Brainiac. Using advanced weaponry and a special strain of Kryptonite harvested from the far reaches of outer space, Luthor ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Curt Geda
CAST:  Powers Boothe  •  Dana Delany  •  Lance Henriksen  •  Tim Daly

Summer Love (1958)

A neighborhood rock band gets a job playing at a summer camp.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles F. Haas
CAST:  John Saxon  •  Molly Bee  •  Fay Wray  •  Edward Platt

A neighborhood rock band gets a job playing at a summer camp.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles F. Haas
CAST:  John Saxon  •  Molly Bee  •  Fay Wray  •  Edward Platt

Rock, Pretty Baby (1956)

A high school rock group enters a band contest.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Bartlett
CAST:  Sal Mineo  •  John Saxon  •  Luana Patten  •  Fay Wray

A high school rock group enters a band contest.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Bartlett
CAST:  Sal Mineo  •  John Saxon  •  Luana Patten  •  Fay Wray

A Time to Sing (1968)

A young farmer becomes a singer against the wishes of his uncle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Dreifuss
CAST:  Hank Williams, Jr.  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Ed Begley  •  Donald Woods

A young farmer becomes a singer against the wishes of his uncle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Dreifuss
CAST:  Hank Williams, Jr.  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Ed Begley  •  Donald Woods

The Girl Rush (1955)

When her compulsive-gambler father dies, leaving her with an inheritance that amounts to zip, single gal Kim Halliday jumps at a caller's claim that she's part-owner of a Las Vegas "hotel." But hilarity ensues when she flies to Sin City to see it. While a wealthy ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Pirosh
CAST:  Rosalind Russell  •  Fernando Lamas  •  Eddie Albert  •  Gloria DeHaven

When her compulsive-gambler father dies, leaving her with an inheritance that amounts to zip, single gal Kim Halliday jumps at a caller's claim that she's part-owner of a Las Vegas "hotel." But hilarity ensues when she flies to Sin City to see it. While a wealthy ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Pirosh
CAST:  Rosalind Russell  •  Fernando Lamas  •  Eddie Albert  •  Gloria DeHaven

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton (1996)

Clark Kent, the last survivor of the dead planet Krypton, uses his amazing powers to defend people of his adopted world, Earth, and become Superman.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Timm  •  Curt Geda  •  Dan Riba  •  Scott Jeralds
CAST:  Tim Daly  •  Dana Delany  •  Clancy Brown  •  Malcolm McDowell

Clark Kent, the last survivor of the dead planet Krypton, uses his amazing powers to defend people of his adopted world, Earth, and become Superman.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bruce Timm  •  Curt Geda  •  Dan Riba  •  Scott Jeralds
CAST:  Tim Daly  •  Dana Delany  •  Clancy Brown  •  Malcolm McDowell

Hold On! (1966)

Herman's Hermits' first film, in which the British band has the chance to have an American spacecraft named for them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Lubin
CAST:  Peter Noone  •  Karl Green  •  Keith Hopwood  •  Derek Leckenby

Herman's Hermits' first film, in which the British band has the chance to have an American spacecraft named for them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Lubin
CAST:  Peter Noone  •  Karl Green  •  Keith Hopwood  •  Derek Leckenby

Love or Money (1990)

A lucrative real estate deal, or romance with the boss' daughter--that's the dilemma facing a yuppie in this comedy.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Hallowell
CAST:  Tim Daly  •  Michael Garin  •  Haviland Morris  •  Kevin McCarthy

A lucrative real estate deal, or romance with the boss' daughter--that's the dilemma facing a yuppie in this comedy.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Hallowell
CAST:  Tim Daly  •  Michael Garin  •  Haviland Morris  •  Kevin McCarthy

Memorial Day (1983)

An attorney finds himself at the center of a surprise reunion with the veterans of his platoon from Vietnam.The reunion stirs up painful memories and disturbing secrets for all involved.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Sargent
CAST:  Mike Farrell  •  Danny Glover  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Edward Herrmann

An attorney finds himself at the center of a surprise reunion with the veterans of his platoon from Vietnam.The reunion stirs up painful memories and disturbing secrets for all involved.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Sargent
CAST:  Mike Farrell  •  Danny Glover  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Edward Herrmann

Ride the Wild Surf (1964)

A group of friends go to Hawaii during the height of surfing season, to compete with other surf bums and find girlfriends along the way.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phil Karlson  •  Don Taylor
CAST:  Fabian  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Tab Hunter  •  Barbara Eden

A group of friends go to Hawaii during the height of surfing season, to compete with other surf bums and find girlfriends along the way.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phil Karlson  •  Don Taylor
CAST:  Fabian  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Tab Hunter  •  Barbara Eden

Never Say Goodbye (1956)

In present-day U.S., Dr. Michael Parker, a prominent surgeon, unexpectedly runs into his German-born wife whom he thought was dead. Victor, an artist and his "dead" wife's now boyfriend, berates Dr. Parker for "killing" her. The bulk of the story flashes back to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Douglas Sirk  •  Jerry Hopper
CAST:  Rock Hudson  •  Cornell Borchers  •  George Sanders  •  Shelley Fabares

In present-day U.S., Dr. Michael Parker, a prominent surgeon, unexpectedly runs into his German-born wife whom he thought was dead. Victor, an artist and his "dead" wife's now boyfriend, berates Dr. Parker for "killing" her. The bulk of the story flashes back to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Douglas Sirk  •  Jerry Hopper
CAST:  Rock Hudson  •  Cornell Borchers  •  George Sanders  •  Shelley Fabares

Deadly Relations (1993)

Leonard Fagot has four daughters and loves them so much, that he usurps his control over them. He lets them know how he feels about the men they date. And if he disapproves of them, he probably will have them killed to get them out of his daughters' life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Condon
CAST:  Robert Urich  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Gwyneth Paltrow  •  Matthew Perry

Leonard Fagot has four daughters and loves them so much, that he usurps his control over them. He lets them know how he feels about the men they date. And if he disapproves of them, he probably will have them killed to get them out of his daughters' life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Condon
CAST:  Robert Urich  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Gwyneth Paltrow  •  Matthew Perry

The Bad Seed (1956)

Air Force Colonel Kenneth Penmark and his wife, Christine, dote on their daughter, Rhoda -- as does their lonely landlady, Monica Breedlove. But self-centered Rhoda has a secret tendency for selfishness and loves to accumulate gifts, whether given or stolen, in her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mervyn LeRoy
CAST:  Patty McCormack  •  Eileen Heckart  •  Henry Jones  •  Nancy Kelly

Air Force Colonel Kenneth Penmark and his wife, Christine, dote on their daughter, Rhoda -- as does their lonely landlady, Monica Breedlove. But self-centered Rhoda has a secret tendency for selfishness and loves to accumulate gifts, whether given or stolen, in her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mervyn LeRoy
CAST:  Patty McCormack  •  Eileen Heckart  •  Henry Jones  •  Nancy Kelly

The Great Mom Swap (1995)

When two girls think the other has it better, they swap places to see who's right!  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Prince
CAST:  Shelley Fabares  •  Hillary Tuck  •  Valerie Harper  •  Mary Kate Schellhardt

When two girls think the other has it better, they swap places to see who's right!  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Prince
CAST:  Shelley Fabares  •  Hillary Tuck  •  Valerie Harper  •  Mary Kate Schellhardt

The Canterville Ghost (1985)

The poor ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle searching in vain for a brave descendant who will release him from the Canterville curse by performing a brave deed. An American family moves in and finds the ghost amusing, but a young girl in the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William F. Claxton
CAST:  Richard Kiley  •  Jenny Beck  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Barry Van Dyke

The poor ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle searching in vain for a brave descendant who will release him from the Canterville curse by performing a brave deed. An American family moves in and finds the ghost amusing, but a young girl in the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William F. Claxton
CAST:  Richard Kiley  •  Jenny Beck  •  Shelley Fabares  •  Barry Van Dyke

Hot Pursuit (1987)

Young Danny is following his rich girlfriend's family to the Caribbean. But suddenly he simply must make a chemistry test and cannot go with them. After they have left, he gets a leave from his professor and takes a plane to find them. But he is not quite sure ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Lisberger
CAST:  John Cusack  •  Robert Loggia  •  Jerry Stiller  •  Wendy Gazelle

Young Danny is following his rich girlfriend's family to the Caribbean. But suddenly he simply must make a chemistry test and cannot go with them. After they have left, he gets a leave from his professor and takes a plane to find them. But he is not quite sure ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Lisberger
CAST:  John Cusack  •  Robert Loggia  •  Jerry Stiller  •  Wendy Gazelle
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