Michele Ann Marie Fabares was born in Santa Monica, California. She is the niece of actress Nanette Fabray. Fabares began acting at age three, and at age 10 made her television debut in an episode of Letter to Loretta. After guest-starring on various television series, Fabares landed the role of Mary Stone in the long-running family sitcom The Donna Reed Show.
Her national popularity led to a recording contract and two "Top 40" hits, including "Johnny Angel," which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962, and peaked at number 41 in the UK. It sold over one million copies and was certified gold. Fabares left The Donna Reed Show in 1963 (she would return periodically until its end in 1966) to pursue a film career. She appeared in a number of motion pictures, including three Elvis Presley movies: Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966), and Clambake (1967), the most by any one actress. In two other 1960s movies, she played the love interest of Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits in Hold On! and of a young Hank Williams, Jr. in A Time to Sing.
During the 1970s, Fabares appeared on several television series, including Love, American Style, The Rockford Files, The Interns, Mannix, The Practice, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and Fantasy Island. In 1971, she starred along with Billy Dee Williams and James Caan in the successful TV movie Brian's Song, the true story of terminally ill Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo. Caan played Piccolo, and she played his wife, Joy. In 1981, Fabares played Francine Webster on One Day at a Time, a role she reprised throughout the series' run.
In 1989, she won the role of Christine Armstrong Fox on the ABC sitcom Coach. For her work, Fabares was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award, and in 1994, she was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award for her role as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show. After Coach ended in 1997, Fabares voiced the role of Martha "Ma" Kent in Superman: The Animated Series. She reprised the role twice, once for a 2003 episode of Justice League and again for the 2006 direct-to-video film Superman: Brainiac Attacks.
Fabares was a lifelong friend of Annette Funicello, whom she met in catechism class in the seventh grade. She was at Annette's bedside with her family when she died of multiple sclerosis on April 8, 2013.
Fabares married record and movie producer Lou Adler in June 1964, separated in 1966, and was divorced in 1980. In 1984, she married actor Mike Farrell, and is stepmother to his two children, Erin and Michael.
In October 2000, Fabares received a life-saving liver transplant after being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis.
Discography
Studio albums
Shelley! -- Colpix CP-426 (Mono)/SCP-426 (Stereo) -- #106, 7/62
The Things We Did Last Summer—Colpix CP-431/SCP-431 -- #121, 10/62
Teenage Triangle—Colpix CP-444/SCP-444 -- #48, 5/63
Featuring four tracks each by Shelley, James Darren and Paul Petersen
Bye Bye Birdie—Colpix CP-454/SCP-454—1963
Songs from the movie sung by Shelley, The Marcels, James Darren and Paul Petersen
More Teenage Triangle—Colpix CP-468/SCP-468—1964
Second compilation featuring Shelley, James Darren and Paul Petersen
Soundtrack songs[edit]
"Spring Fever" (1965) w/Elvis Presley from the movie Girl Happy (The soundtrack album only features Elvis' vocals)
"Make Me Happy" (March 1966) from the movie soundtrack of Hold On! MGM Records
"Next Time I Say Goodbye I'm Leaving" (1968) from the movie soundtrack of A Time to Sing (Music From The Original Soundtrack) MCA Records– MCA-1458
Compilations
Rare Items And Big Hits Colpix (1989)
The Best of Shelley Fabares Rhino R2 71651—1994
Shelley Fabares Johnny Angel Collectables #9931 July 2005
Shelley Fabares Meets Paul Petersen Collectables Records July 2009
Growing Up-The 1962 Recordings Jasmine 2014
Singles[edit]
Year Title B-Side U.S. Label and number
February 1962 "Johnny Angel" "Where's It Gonna Get Me" 1[2] Colpix 621
April 1962 "What Did They Do Before Rock 'n' Roll"(with Paul Petersen) "Very Unlikely"
(with Paul Petersen)
-
Colpix 631
May 1962 "Johnny Loves Me" "I'm Growing Up" 21[12] Colpix 636
August 1962 "The Things We Did Last Summer" "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" 46[13] Colpix 654
December 1962 "Telephone (Won't You Ring)" "Big Star" 109[14] Colpix 667
March 1963 "Ronnie, Call Me When You Get a Chance" "I Left a Note to Say Goodbye" 72[15] Colpix 682
October 1963 "Welcome Home" "Billy Boy"
-
Colpix 705
January 1964 "Football Season's Over" "He Don't Love Me"
-
Colpix 721
September 1964 "I Know You'll Be There" "Lost Summer Love"
-
Vee-Jay VJ632
May 1965 "My Prayer" "Pretty Please"
-
Dunhill D-4001
August 1966 "See Ya 'Round On the Rebound" "Pretty Please"
-
Dunhill D-4041
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1955 The Girl Rush Kim - Age 9 Uncredited
1956 Never Say Goodbye Suzy Parker
1956 The Bad Seed Margie Uncredited
1957 Jeanne Eagels Teenage Girl Uncredited
1958 Summer Love Twinkie Daley
1958 Marjorie Morningstar Seth's Girl Friend Uncredited
1964 Ride the Wild Surf Brie Matthews
1965 Girl Happy Valerie Frank
1966 Hold On! Louisa Page Alternative title: There's No Place Like Space
1966 Spinout Cynthia Foxhugh
1967 Clambake Dianne Carter
1968 A Time to Sing Amy Carter
1971 Brian's Song Joy Piccolo
1987 Hot Pursuit Buffy Cronenberg
1990 Love or Money LuAnn Reed Alternative title: For Love or Money
2006 Superman: Brainiac Attacks Martha Kent (Voice) Direct-to-video release
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1954–1958 Letter to Loretta Marie Schumann
Kathy 2 episodes
1955 Producers' Showcase Rebecca Gibbs 1 episode
1955 Matinee Theater Young Cathy 1 episode
1955 Captain Midnight Mary Kingsley 1 episode
1956 Annie Oakley Prudy Warren 1 episode
1957 Fury Midge Mallon 1 episode
1958 Walt Disney Presents: Annette Moselle Corey 15 episodes
1958–1965 The Donna Reed Show Mary Stone 191 episodes
1959 The Rebel Nora Hendry 1 episode
1963 Mr. Novak Dani Cooper 2 episodes
1964 The Eleventh Hour Carol Hamilton 1 episode
1964 Arrest and Trial Donna Blaney 1 episode
1964 The Twilight Zone Ellen Tillman 1 episode
1968 The Ghost & Mrs. Muir Vanessa 1 episode
1969 Daniel Boone Charity Brown 1 episode
1969 Lancer Melissa Harper 1 episode
1969 Bracken's World Hilary Saxon 1 episode
1969 Medical Center "Mike" Carter 1 episode
1971 Longstreet Marianne Franklin 1 episode
1971 Brian's Song Joy Piccolo Television movie
1971 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law Lorraine Latham 1 episode
1972 McCloud Natalie Rudell 1 episode
1972 Cade's County Stephanie 1 episode
1972 The Brian Keith Show Dr. Anne Jamison Unknown episodes
1974 Police Story Annette Weiner 1 episode
1974 Ironside Charlotte Black 1 episode
1974 The Rockford Files Jolene Hyland 1 episode
1975 The Rookies Ann McNeal 1 episode
1975 Matt Helm Chris/Tina 1 episode
1975 Barnaby Jones Susan Burke 1 episode
1976 Marcus Welby, M.D. Norma Fritchie 1 episode
1976 Spencer's Pilots Annette 1 episode
1976-1977 The Practice Jenny Bedford 27 episodes
1977–1978 Forever Fernwood Eleanor Major Unknown episodes
1978 Vega$ Linda Stockwood 1 episode
1978 The Incredible Hulk Holly Cooper 1 episode
1978–1984 One Day at a Time Francine Webster 23 episodes
1979 Hello, Larry Marion Alder 3 episodes
1979 Highcliffe Manor Helen 6 episodes
1980–1981 Mork & Mindy Cathy 3 episodes
1980–1985 The Love Boat Various roles 3 episodes
1983 Matt Houston Barbara Newton 1 episode
1983 ABC Afterschool Special Fran Brogliatti 1 episode
1983 Memorial Day Ellie Walker Television movie
1985 The Canterville Ghost Lucy Television movie
1985 Suburban Beat Mimi Television movie
1987 Newhart Diane Beckwith 1 episode
1988 Run Till You Fall Kathy Reuben Television movie
1989 Murder, She Wrote Liza Caspar 2 episodes
1989–1997 Coach Christine Armstrong 199 episodes
1993 Deadly Relations Shirley Fagot Television movie
1995 The Great Mom Swap Millie Ridgeway Television movie
1996 Superman: The Last Son of Krypton Martha Kent (Voice) Television movie
1996–1998 Superman: The Animated Series Martha Kent (Voice) 8 episodes
1997 A Nightmare Come True Lily Zarn Television movie
1998 Playing to Win: A Moment of Truth Movie Nancy Erickson Television movie
2003 Justice League Ma Kent (Voice) 1 episode
Awards and nominations
Year Award Result Category Film or series
1993 Primetime Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Coach
1994 Coach
1965 Laurel Awards Nominated New Faces, Female
-
2004 TV Land Award Nominated Favorite Teen Dream - Female The Donna Reed Show
1994 Young Artist Award Won Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award The Donna Reed Show
Johnny Get Angry
Shelley Fabares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to see what you would do
You stood there and hung your head
Made me wish that I were dead
[Chorus]
Oh, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
Give me the biggest lecture I ever had
Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me
Every time you danced with me
You let Freddy cut in constantly
When he'd ask, you'd never speak
Must you always be so meek?
[Chorus]
Every girl wants someone who
She can always look up to
You know I love you, of course
Let me know that you're the boss
[Chorus]
Johnny, get angry, Johnny
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
The lyrics to Shelley Fabares's song Johnny Get Angry describe a young woman who has grown tired of her boyfriend's lack of assertiveness and decided to end their relationship by telling him they were through. However, she is surprised when he simply hangs his head in sadness, causing her to feel guilty for hurting him. The chorus then urges Johnny to get angry and show her that he cares about her by being brave, assertive, and the dominant partner in their relationship.
The song is a reflection of the social norms of the late 1950s and early 1960s when women were expected to be submissive and men were expected to be strong and in control. The song highlights the frustration experienced by women who were tired of weak men who would not take charge or defend their honor. Some scholars have interpreted the song as a feminist critique of patriarchal culture and a call for women to be more assertive in their relationships.
Historically, the song was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962. It was also featured in the 1990 film Cry-Baby and has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Crystals, Dionne Warwick, and Cher.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny, I said we were through
I told you that I wanted to break up with you
Just to see what you would do
I did it to test your reaction and see if you would stand up for yourself
You stood there and hung your head
You reacted by looking sad and disappointed but you didn't try to change my mind
Made me wish that I were dead
Your reaction made me feel guilty and regretful
Oh, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
I want you to show some passion and take control of the situation
Give me the biggest lecture I ever had
Tell me what you really think and don't hold back
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
I want a man who is strong, confident and not afraid to express his emotions
Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me
I want you to demonstrate that you love me and that you are willing to fight for our relationship
Every time you danced with me
Whenever we were dancing together
You let Freddy cut in constantly
You allowed another man to interrupt our dance repeatedly
When he'd ask, you'd never speak
You didn't object when he asked to dance with me and you never tried to assert yourself
Must you always be so meek?
I'm disappointed that you are always so passive and unassertive
Every girl wants someone who
All women desire a man who
She can always look up to
They can rely on for support and guidance
You know I love you, of course
I want you to know that I still care about you
Let me know that you're the boss
I want you to show me that you are in charge and that you are confident in yourself
Johnny, get angry, Johnny
Express your emotions and assert yourself, Johnny
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
I want you to understand how important this is to me, Johnny
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Hal David, Sherman Edwards
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@suyekoyona
Johnny, I said we were through
Just to see what you would do
You stood there and hung your head
Made me wish that I were dead
CHORUS
Oh, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
Give me the biggest lecture I ever had
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me
Every time you danced with me
You let Freddy cut in constantly
When he'd ask, you'd never speak
Must you always be so meek?
CHORUS
Every girl wants someone who
She can always look up to
You know I love you, of course
Let me know that you're the boss
CHORUS
Johnny, get angry, Johnny
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
@raymondmarchand8815
I think she was the most beautiful woman ever. Yes Shelley Fabares What a living doll!
@52barney
is
@williameason5795
What a wonderful singer she was Far better than most So called singers today
@sharolynwells
Because people in the 50's thru 70's didn't have autotune. They had a special thing called TALENT.
@ralphebrandt
I have done sound reinforcement since about 1960. I listen to most (maybe all) of the ones today. they need fancy sound processing to hide their real voices, impressive costumes, wild dancing, lewd at times dress to distract from their voices and such. Shelly was good, but not one of the greats of the 1950-1970 era. If you want to hear great voices,(I picked only one of their greats) try Vera Lynn - British WW2 (Blue birds over the white cliffs over dover), Patsy Cline, Kittie Kalen (Teach me tonight), Connie Francis, Judith Blume (The seekers - Another you), Joan Baez (check out Amazing grace). Second Tier, Karen Carpenter (Many), Celine Dejon, Shelly Fabreas. Anne Murray, to mention about 1/2 of them. If you want to hear more, check out Mauve, CLoe, Lisa, Orla, of Celtic woman - they are tops but there are at least 5 others that are in the top class. If you want to see 4 that are class. Try the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE for Amazing grace andf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lIHKyYmWGU for Oh Tannenbaum. Make sure you watch that to 4.01 where Mauve goes into high. She has one of the strongest, accurate and veristile voices. I like Shelly not as precise but able to bring a song to life.
@stevemichaelsmichaels4646
The singers of that time period could sing AND they kept their clothes on!
@wareidav
Dont you just love stereo. Great track. Brilliant backing singers and not many songs can get away with Kazoos, this does. Brilliant piano playing too.
@dakotabillyone
I just LOVE this version, especially the ending! One of the best vocals EVER!
@marknewton6984
I still care!
@likearockcm
i was head over heels in love with her,man she was gorgeous.now when i watch and listen to this song l float back to those days and smile!