“Coach ”actress Shelley Fabares’ cause of death revealed
“Coach ”actress Shelley Fabares’ cause of death revealed
Daysia TolentinoThu, August 27, 2026 at 11:04 PM UTC
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Shelley Fabares in 1981Credit: Harry Langdon/GettyKey Points -
Shelley Fabares died of pneumonia, her family confirmed on Thursday.
Fabares died at the age of 82 on Aug. 22.
Her family previously honored her as “a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort.”
New details have been revealed about actress Shelley Fabares’ death on Aug. 22 at the age of 82.
Days after her passing, her family confirmed her cause of death was pneumonia, PEOPLE reported on Thursday.
The Coachactress’ family first confirmed her death on Aug. 23, sharing that she was surrounded by her loved ones when she died.
“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” a statement read, per PEOPLE. “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.”
Prior to her death, the Donna Reed Show alum had managed other health conditions, as she was previously diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, which is a disease that attacks the liver cells. She had a liver transplant in 2000.
In the wake of her death, Fabares’ former costars and friends paid tribute to her, including her Coach castmate and onscreen love interest Craig T. Nelson.
“Shelley was a great and grand lady… just a rock. I will miss her,” Nelson, 82, wrote in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “She was a foundational part of my life during the run of Coach.”
Shelley Fabares and Craig T Nelson in ‘Coach’Credit: ABC/Getty
The pair worked together for nearly a decade, and Nelson remembered his costar as “just an extraordinary woman.”
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“She always had a smile,” he continued. “She was welcoming in the midst of chaos and always someone I could go to for advice and counsel, not only myself but others as well. I’ll remember you with love, Shelley Fabares.”
Meanwhile, her Ride the Wild Surf costar Barbara Eden honored her as a “darling” friend in a touching remembrance post.
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Shelley Fabares arrives at The Actors Fund’s 2016 Looking Ahead Awards at Taglyan Complex on Dec. 6, 2016Credit: Amanda Edwards/WireImage
“Oh goodness, what can I say about Shelley Fabares,” Eden, 95, wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “Dear sweet Shelley. I learned just now of her passing on Saturday. While I’m saddened by the news, I am filled with happy memories of filming Ride the Wild Surf with her, Susan Hart and all the boys!”
She praised Fabares as a “sweet, good girl,” noting that it can be tough to find friendly personalities on set.
“In the acting world you never know what type of people your fellow castmates may be when you start a project,” the I Dream of Jeannie star continued. “It’s always a treat when you find yourself among good, happy people.”
Fabares is survived by her husband and M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell and two stepchildren.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
