Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Shelley Fabares, Donna Reed and Coach Star, Dies at 82
Shelley Fabares was an actress who worked in television and movies for many years.
She began acting when she was a child.
Many people knew her as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show.
She also played Christine Armstrong on the television comedy Coach.
Fabares appeared in several movies with Elvis Presley.
She acted in other programs, including One Day at a Time and Brian's Song.
She died in Los Angeles at age 82.
Her family shared kind memories of her but did not say what caused her death.
Shelley Fabares died Saturday in Los Angeles at age 82, her family confirmed.
Her family did not disclose the cause of death.
Fabares played Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show from 1958 to 1963.
She later became widely recognized as Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach.
Her career also included films with Elvis Presley and television roles in One Day at a Time and Brian's Song.
- Who
- Actress Shelley Fabares, whose family confirmed her death.
- What
- Fabares died at age 82 after a decades-long acting career.
- When
- She died on a Saturday in August 2026, according to the article.
- Where
- Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed by her family.
- Age at death
- 82
- Place of death
- Los Angeles
- Best-known television roles
- Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show and Christine Armstrong on Coach
- The Donna Reed Show
- Fabares was a regular cast member from 1958 to 1963
- Film collaborations
- She appeared with Elvis Presley in Girl Happy, Spinout and Clambake
- Spouse
- Fabares married actor Mike Farrell in 1984
- Cause of death
- Not disclosed