Shelley Fabares, the actress who spent decades working across film and television and earned two Emmy nominations for her role on Coach, died Saturday after a brief illness. She was 82. Her family confirmed Thursday that the cause of death was pneumonia.
Fabares had been previously diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and underwent a liver transplant in October 2000 after spending nearly two years on a waiting list. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she is survived by her husband, M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell.
Her family released a statement announcing her death. "To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter and comfort," the statement read. "She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued and cared for."
Fabares began her career playing Mary Stone, the wholesome daughter on The Donna Reed Show, which aired on ABC from 1958 to 1966. During her time on that series, she recorded "Johnny Angel," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962.
She went on to appear opposite Elvis Presley in three films: Girl Happy in 1965, Spinout in 1966, and Clambake in 1967. She also starred alongside James Caan in the 1971 television film Brian's Song.
Her most sustained later success came on Coach, the ABC comedy in which she played the TV newscaster wife of Craig T. Nelson's college football coach. The show ran for eight seasons from 1989 to 1997, and Fabares earned two Emmy nominations for her performance.
Her other credits included roles on the original One Day at a Time in the late 1970s and 1980s, The Practice with Danny Thomas from 1976 to 1977, Highcliffe Manor, and Forever Fernwood.
