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Shelley Fabares, “Johnny Angel” Singer, Dies at 82

8/24/2026

42 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Shelley Fabares Dies

Shelley Fabares died at 82 in Los Angeles, according to her family, on Saturday.
She was best known for playing Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show (1958-1963).
Her 1962 single “Johnny Angel” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
She underwent a liver transplant in October 2000 after a 22-month wait.
She advocated for Alzheimer’s research while caring for her mother, who had the disease.

Summary

Shelley Fabares Advocacy

Shelley Fabares served on SAG’s leadership council and helped shape early SAG Awards ceremonies.
She advocated for the 1998 merger of SAG with AFTRA to create a unified performers union.
In the 1970s and 1980s, she and husband Mike Farrell protested U.S. actions in Central America.
She joined Southern California anti-nuclear demonstrations in the late 1970s.

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Shelley Fabares Dies

Shelley Fabares died at 82 in Los Angeles, according to her family, on Saturday.
She was best known for playing Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show (1958-1963).
Her 1962 single “Johnny Angel” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
She underwent a liver transplant in October 2000 after a 22-month wait.
She advocated for Alzheimer’s research while caring for her mother, who had the disease.

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