Craig T. Nelson Pays Tribute to Shelley Fabares, Who Died at 82

Q: What sudden illness claimed the life of this beloved pop-music star and Emmy-nominated actress at 82?

Shelley Fabares died after a brief illness, according to her family. The reports provided do not identify a specific sudden illness or medical cause beyond describing it as a “brief illness.” Her family announced that she died in Los Angeles at 82, and some outlets noted that no further cause of death was disclosed. Fabares was widely remembered as both a pop singer — best known for the 1962 No. 1 hit “Johnny Angel” — and an Emmy-nominated actress for her role on Coach. Tributes from family and former co-star Craig T. Nelson emphasized her warmth, humor and generosity rather than detailing her final illness.

3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Aug 24

Craig T. Nelson called Shelley Fabares “just an extraordinary woman,” saying his Coach co-star always had a smile and was someone he and others turned to for advice.
Fabares’ family said the two-time Emmy nominee died Saturday in Los Angeles at 82, surrounded by loved ones, and remembered her for kindness, humor and grace.
On ABC’s Coach, Fabares played Christine Armstrong opposite Nelson’s Hayden Fox for nine seasons from 1989 to 1997, with their characters’ relationship evolving across more than 200 episodes.
Beyond Coach, Fabares was known for The Donna Reed Show and for starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girl Happy, Spinout and Clambake.