Shelley FABARES on InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse

With a show business career that has spanned more than 50 years, Fabares made her mark in the '50's on the Donna Reed Show, in the '60's co-starring with Elvis on the big screen, in the '70's as a member of the cast of Mary Hartman, and in the '80's & '90's on the TV series One Day at a Time & Coach. Despite her success her life has not been without its challenges. Fabares received a life-saving liver transplant in the fall of 2000, and has worked tirelessly for the Alzheimer's Association following her mother's battle with the dreaded disease. On this episode of "InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse," our conversation with American actress and singer, Shelley Fabares.

[@wattheheck6010]

Professionally, Miss Fabares achieved so much and the admiration she won is richly deserved. But personally she achieved even more while caring for her mother and becoming a liver transplant recipient. Mr. Manouse, your interview was sensitive and well done.

[@lindahayward2982]

What a beautiful woman. Thank you for the Memories 💖

[@ladyg1809]

It's so great to see Shelly Fabares and what she is doing for the Alzheimer's Association.

[@carolbowen1693]

if only they'd recognize the value of MCT oil for these patients-I lost both parents to this disease-stop the GMO grains so we won't get beta-amyloid plaque laid down in our brains!!!

[@CoxJoxSox]

She is such a gentle spirit

[@barrygioportmorien1]

This is such a great interview, a classy woman interviewed by a classy host, who let Shelly talk and tell her stories uninterrupted, and I loved hearing what she had to say about Elvis. God bless her, and keep her well. Thanks Shelly and Ernie......I certainly will watch this again....Going into my favourites.....I too have had family members who suffered the dreaded alzheimers.....

[@petclark1]

I always adored Shelley Fabares in her work. How nice to find she is such a sensitive, honest human being too. I hope she still has many years of continued good health after having had such a major transplant.

[@kengyorfi6349]

her age just makes even more beautiful. i remember watching her on tv back in the 60's. beautiful back then and still beautiful today.

[@o__ball__o368]

Such a great person. I continue to watch Coach daily. So glad to hear she is doing well after her transplant.

[@eveholmes3860]

I met her a couple of times when I managed a restaurant in Beverly Hills in the 80s. She was fabulous, friendly and extremely funny.

[@connievino4226]

It's nice when it doesn't goes to their heads. God Bless her

[@donnakubiak]

Shelly. I felt the same way. I thought I would die at a young age. Now in my mid 70's I guess I'm not going to die. Your hair is a statement. You are free, and alive.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Yes she is alive. Otherwise, there would be no interview.

[@4estdweller4ever]

Yes. Better than helmet hair

[@Student____2025__1]

It’s not a very pleasant statement, though.

[@margaretcamacho5259]

NO comment

[@zubenel444]

Shelley Fabares is absolutely wonderful!!

[@jbb3026ify]

I love this woman. Thank you Shelly.

[@PerryCallas]

This lady is a class act. It feels like she's a member of my family, and I'm grateful to have seen her on TV in different roles my entire life.

[@bewiseasowls]

I had her records when I was a kid. She sang "Johnny Angel" like an angel!! Classic song!! Beautiful girl, nice girl and enjoyed her in the Donna Reed show for years to date. God Bless you Shelly! I'm glad you pulled through! Keep living life to the fullest!

[@blacksambo5912]

Shelley looks awesome!!

[@salsalvator6338]

I enjoyed The Donna Reed Show. As a kid we were all like Jeff. It was fun watching them all.

[@rebeccavaughan3615]

She's still beautiful. Her story is interesting. She's got a sweet personality. 2021

[@debirene1]

I love her!!! Lovely to see her doing well!

[@Builder99]

Hell I like her...She went down some hard roads and took her life back and is a cool person...Best of health to her...

[@laurietijerina3816]

Wow,she still sounds so young. Her skin is beautiful too. I like her songs,Johnny Angel is my favorite.

[@jonjames5561]

a delightful, beautiful woman with the world's best smile. I have always loved her and this interview could not have made me happier.

[@Appleholic1]

She is so intelligent the way she speaks so concisely. I love your hair Shelley and I love you too. I hope you continue to share this time with us for many many years to come.

[@Student____2025__1]

Her hair looks ridiculous.

[@readysetgo1996]

Lots of memories!!! Johnny Angel!!! Love you Shelly!!!

[@davidkennedy1271]

She looks marvelous with her wild hair. What a wonderful interview!

[@evelynbrown7316]

So nice to see Shelly healthy and wonderful. Shes her own person. Shes intelligent. Shes a part of memories. God bless her. Her hairstyle is irrelavent. I'll tell you what? She doesnt look all plastic and fake. She looks like a cool lady of her stated age who has a cool hairdo she likes and is comfortable in her own skin. You go Shelley!

[@margaretcamacho5259]

Too old to look this stupid

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

@may day Plastic is what way??/ She looks great. She don't not have a face full of wrinkles, and her skin is not tight and immoveable.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

@@margaretcamacho5259 It is her hair, and her choice. Maybe you are too old to do this, but that does not mean that she is. Allow people to be themselves.

[@margaretcamacho5259]

@@Michelle-pn9xt I didn't make any comments regarding this matter. Please check your facts.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

@@margaretcamacho5259 I see a comment next to your name that says that she is too old to look this stupid.

[@maryz2681]

She has always been such a beautiful and classy lady. I loved her on Donna Reed and then years later on Coach. She is such a talent. God Bless her. We need more female role models like her in television and movies.

[@cliffworks4321]

at around 7 mins Shelley talks about her near death experience. I have been there a few times, there was no hocus locus, no nonsense, no magic, no OOBE, just a tired relaxed feeling that my life was about to end. I had extreme sorrow for my young (ages 1, 5, 9) children that they would not have their daddy by their side as they grew up and my only comfort was that I knew their mother was young and healthy and would raise them as best she could. That comforted me greatly. In 72 when I was a USO volunteer in Vietnam sitting on beds of wounded soldiers I contemplated this daily. I hope all my American and Vietnamese brothers and sisters are resting in peace.

[@FigaroHey]

Very articulate woman. Can you imagine someone from this generation of 'stars' being able to go through such a long interview without saying 'like' in ever other sentence or resorting to vulgar words? Her sentences are more than 5 words long. Nice to hear.

[@TheSpitmitt]

I have always thought Shelley was so beautiful. Now I see she still is. Loved her sweet Elvis story here.

[@joshlane44]

A great interview with a lovely lady who is so honest and refreshing. Love you Shelley always have.

[@Mohini52]

She was great as Coach's wife. One of my favorite shows. I was so sad to see it end. Glad I get to see Craig T. Nelson on Parenthood. I just love her.

[@bdematteis]

Happy birthday, Shelley!!! You are such a beautiful person. I so enjoyed hearing you talk about Elvis. I never got to meet him, but I did see him in concert. The two of you were so sweet in "Girl Happy." I watched the video on youtube today, and it made me so happy!!! I wish you many more happy birthdays, along with all the best.

[@Belle53411]

What a wonderful interview with a lovely, dynamic and caring lady. I was shocked by the hair color and style until I heard the explanation. "More power to you, Shelley." My sister had a liver transplant in November 2000 and my mother had alzheimer's before she passed away, so I know a little of the struggle and heartache Shelley has grown through! I applaud Shelley for her courage and loving commitment to a worthy cause. Shelley, you are even more beautiful than ever before.

[@Student____2025__1]

No, she isn’t. She looks ridiculous.

[@Student____2025__1]

@@Sirene311 don’t get mad at me because I told the truth.

[@donnahoffman3639]

This is the most wonderfully expressive woman. I'm so glad from Donna Reed show forward and listening to her interview courageous and thoughtful she is. Shelly a breath of fresh air. A joy to hear.

[@sirhymer]

She mentioned that she saw the colored spiked hair in a salon and thought it was fun. As a celebrity she was never allowed to wear her hair as she wished, but believing she was going to die, she decided that there probably would never be another opportunity to do something so drastic - so why not now? So she did it - her husband actually liked it - and she has kept the look for several years. Like most of the commentors below, I do feel it looks ridiculous, but she's had to follow the "rules" during her whole career, and if this makes her happy, more power to her.. She seems to be a fine person - her face is still lovely - and she's paid her dues. It''s what's inside that really counts anyway - and she's got that virtue locked up.

[@Starrman69]

Thank you so much for the video, it's a great opportunity to hear Shelley talk about herself, Elvis...and all those other details...

[@SASORI707]

This was a lot of fun! I love this woman.

[@blueasterstyles7126]

Incredible interview. KZbin lets us follow our favorites' lives instead of getting news about them by the total control of others. This is meaningful stuff that we did not have access to "back in the old days".

[@joan1152]

She certainly survived and thrived despite her early fame. She is a strong, deep, compassionate human. I love her style!

[@Student____2025__1]

It’s a shame about her hair. Yikes.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Compassionate??? How long has she been...VEGAN???

[@Delilah.Elizabeth]

My mother has Alzheimer's and hearing Shelly discuss her mother's battle with the disease is very comforting and reassuring.

[@susanrose5237]

Beautiful Person, Shelley Fabares....wishing her the best always!!!!

[@arno799]

Shelley is fabulous!!A wonderfully compassionate and gracious lady, when she smiles the Shelley we remember from her many films shines through.God bless her and thanks for the posting!!

[@raecoyote]

She is always so awesome & so is her hair!!

[@DLee1923]

Lovely enterview with a lovely lady ! Blessings Shelley !

[@SinCityFinancier]

Of all of Elvis' female co-stars Shelley was always my fav in Clambake, Girl Happy, and Spinout.

[@paulcatania1315]

Shelly was an iconic '60s chick. Sexy as hell! Great voice too. Check out "Johnny Angel" and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do". Mike Farrell is a lucky guy!

[@deloressmith1157]

iiib BBC ñ8 air supply!!.!

[@Gabriellyn1950]

Thank you, Susan, for spelling it out for those individuals who really are shallow and just don't understand what life is all about. This is a woman who is just as beautiful now as she was back then and just as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. I respect her tremendously for the challenges she has faced and came out the other side with a clear understanding of what life is really all about and how thankful we should be for every day we're given. Thank you again.

[@thewalkingowls]

I'm just a few years younger than Shelly and I think the hair looks great. In fact Shelley looks great. Loved her then and now.

[@maryellengrayberg9146]

I think this was very helpful, Shelly is very articulate. I still see her as that beautiful girl on Donna Reed. The epitome of a beautiful young lady. I would love to travel back in time.

[@billy191000]

I have been a fan and am fortunate to have been able to call Shelley Fabares a friend for well over 30 years. Her beauty, her kindness, her caring and her light will never dim. She is truly one of the most beautiful women of all time both inside and out and with her pink tips or without them, to this day she remains so. Thank you for showing and sharing this wonderful interview!

[@lebamerheb5969]

Shelley Fabares,She is still beautiful today and I love watching her and Elvis on Girl Happy .

[@drexelmildraff7580]

Fascinating interview.

[@auaiao9]

A wonderful lady and a wonderful interview!

[@trollin47]

What a beautful person when she was younger and at an older age. Life is too short not to experience activities and go to places you normally wouldn’t.

[@daveoelke857]

I just watched her in a 1963 episode of Twilight Zone. So I googled her for some info and found this. Very cool! Good to see her again! A very sweet lady. Good actor and singer, too.

[@awebreeze1]

The bodies a machine that wears down. The young girl who sang Johnny Angel is the same girl sitting being interviewed. You don't age, your body does.

[@scuzzydirtbag]

Exactly!

[@tangrine16]

But you ARE your body!

[@scuzzydirtbag]

Well, in a sense yes. But we are the same person we were in the past, we just age a bit. Then there's the spiritual side of us..........

[@daltondodd2178]

***** Strongly disagree. Your body is a lump of clay & a quart of blood - That's All. "You" are your Soul. Millions of Christians believe it lasts forever. Additionally, read a little about the 'Stoics'. They deal with the hardships of life by disregarding what becomes of the body, and embrace 'The Spark' of life. P.S Just an opinion, so please don't go nuts.

[@tiffanyhilsabeck6521]

I appreciate how apparently everyone cares about her hair. I don't care about it personally. I liked how she shared that she realized that sometimes you think some things are important. But they aren't.

[@youalreadyknowwhy4221]

Hey man!! She survived a liver transplant!!! Come on guys!!! She can wear her hair any damn way she wants!!!!

[@geod3589]

I didn't know about the liver transplant; yes she is lucky to have survived it.

[@mrzoperxplex]

Bully for her if that's how Ms. Fabares wishes to sport her hair. She has fought cancer and that alone merits the public's appreciation of her struggle.

[@youalreadyknowwhy4221]

She did that to bring awareness to people and make them ask questions so she can engage her story of survival.. come on it is so petty let's just support her life

[@avisswope6495]

THATS TELLING THEM!!!!!! LOVE YOU SHELLY!!!

[@wolfganggritschke7447]

You are so right Moveonand behappy

[@wallygt47]

Shelley Fabares would look good with no hair - an icon and a source of great wisdom

[@lindapowell2397]

She would look prettier bald.

[@Student____2025__1]

@@lindapowell2397 Says a lot about her current hair.

[@haroldt101]

INteresting woman and my memories of her from the Donna Reed show blown away by her hair in this interview.

[@TheJohnniles]

Shelley Fabares is, besides being very intelligent and articulate, a very compassionate, warm, intuitive, and lovely human being. She has obviously acquired wisdom through her journey in life. May God bless her.

[@coyclown]

She's so cute! :) I LOVE her hair, and the story behind it! :D

[@catmoondaddy]

Wonderful interview. Classy lady.

[@Sassyellechica]

i forgot she was on coach. I love her hair and loving the pink. i love when ppl live thier hair the way they wanted even if its not by a "normal " standard.

[@starlite556]

You are lying.

[@SecondEvilEx]

lakeasha martin if she feels comfortable with her hair like that then who the heck are we to judge

[@juceelucee2841]

Just watched Clambake and thought I'd see about Shelly, and this was a wonderful interview...TFS

[@conuregirl007]

I can really understand her point of having her hair done like that. She's really a precious person.

[@murieldesvignes8174]

I think she has amazing confidence and GUTS! And I Love the bright, happy hair. Wish I had the same guts... so far, only a few hi-lights! You go, Shelley!

[@Student____2025__1]

It isn’t advisable to do to your hair what Shelley did to hers.

[@rfn944]

You are one of the best Shelley. Thanks for sharing. My mom has Alzheimer's disease, so I am fully aware of the difficulties associated with this disease.

[@kathleenviens1003]

My mother had it too. Unfortunately she did try to kill herself when she saw her sister who died of it. But breast cancer really killed her. It did affect me and I hope GOD takes me in a different way. I really couldn't deal with her.

[@68lincoln]

Loved her as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show 1958-1964. Her voice still sounds very familiar here. She seems to be a very nice person and certainly courageous about setbacks that can befall anyone. And January 19, 2014 happy birthday Shelley her 70th birthday. Wish you many more.

[@michaelrandall4862]

She's so beautiful. Such a sweet soul. I've always liked her.

[@repentfast7793]

I could truly say she's a very nice lady. She's special.

[@DeanLeonard1]

Such a lovely, serene, articulate woman. (And I think the hair rocks.) :)

[@Davian67]

I love Shelley! Great voice, and she looks great!

[@jjsiegal1]

Words of Wisdom....listen to what she's saying!

[@baileyguy]

What a beautiful human being! She's as lovely a personality, as she was a physically beautiful young lady.

[@51Dss]

She exudes self confidence; she seems very genuine; very much a lady. How lucky any man would be to have loved her.

[@Student____2025__1]

They’d be embarrassed to be seen around that.

[@taylortimeless]

I love her mannerisms and the way she talks

[@charlotteranney581]

You are so beautiful Shelley!! Have always enjoyed your work. Thank You!!

[@jayborn1795]

the more she spoke the more beautiful she became. It is remarkable.

[@beccagee2249]

She looks fantastic and I LOVE her hair. It's her hair and her life, and she can do what she wants! Live it up and enjoy yourselves as much as you can and never worry about what others think of you.

[@bluesky792]

Great video Shelly, stay well and thank you for the Donna Reed Show !

[@BobCarp1947]

The hair gave me pause, but after listening to the entire interview, I admire this woman more than ever. I'm 65 and have loved her from Donna Reed and thru the years. This video was very informative and I feel I know her as I never have.

[@MisterMasterShafter1]

Shelly's always been a classy and graceful lady. Nothing like today's entertainers.

[@DottySC06]

She is still beautiful.

[@MrMac5150]

What part of her.

[@declanmcleod9025]

Really? You have low standards.....shes freakish for a woman her age...

[@Student____2025__1]

Her feminism rotted her.

[@fenderblaster21]

You said it brother, I to saw her on the Donna Reed show and I fell for her in a heart beat. Also shows my age.

[@garymorris9571]

She has great charm and heart, and looks fabulous.

[@aokamy1]

I have always liked Shelley on The Donna Reed Show and all that she has done! About her hair... she explained in this interview why she has it this way. It was "her" choice and it was freeing to her not to have someone else telling her how her hair "should" be done. She is so open and honest and her heart shines through in this interview. Beauty comes from within, and that's shy she is still SO beautiful and dear to so many. Shelley you are a beautiful person in every way!! God Bless You!

[@chandlerchase9871]

Shelley Fabares is one of the most intelligent,evolved and clever veterans of film and particularly television.She has delivered some of the greatest,funniest, charming,memorable performances throughout the last 60 plus years of television.She is a CLASSIC iconic individual......and as we are so fortunate to still have her with us,she shares her thoughts and her wisdom with grace and she still is having fun with it all . Let's listen and focus on who she is,rather than the color of her hair!

[@davidgaugamela9801]

She was always a classy lady.

[@2degucitas]

You rock your bad self, Shelley!

[@stevenjames9047]

The people that judge and ridicule her by her hair only just show how shallow and judgmental THEY are while ignoring her survival story. While it's easy to ridicule someone on a first impression, try to get to know the person. That's YOUR challenge. She has survived a much more difficult challenge. I

[@MTknitter22]

Hey if some dont like the hair, Shelly would be first to be kind about it - 80% probably dont and they are ok to have their opinion. It has nothing to do with deep character issues. Just a matter of opinion!

[@MrSenoj1968]

Such a lovely lady then and now.

[@pennypiper7382]

I’ve always liked her❤️

[@jamesdunn9714]

If I am correct she sang "Johnny Angel" a pop hit in the early 60's.

[@Catj4950]

Yes she did.

[@quantumleap359]

+James yep, that was she. What a great looking woman she still is. I am glad she survived her transplant, she is fortunate. Thank you HoustonPBS for posting this video.

[@MrMac5150]

You better get some new glasses.

[@TheStephenheath]

her face isn,t too bad but i dont like the clown get up

[@MrMac5150]

Stephen Heath She looks like she was hit by a train and someone sprayed her with two cans of red paint.

[@go-goakins1489]

She is a classy lady who was once very beautiful Glad to see that she survived her ordeal

[@CBSEye]

There's a sweetness I always likedvin Shelly. She was wonderful in her three films with Elvis, especially GIRL HAPPY (1965). - Jersey Guy

[@susanbrogan2517]

She's a lovely person and worth listening to.

[@linscrattish2648]

Great interview!

[@winniel2010]

She's fabulous! Love her!

[@colodude1]

What a great lady. Always have enjoyed her talented acting over the years both on TV and in the movies. Life is short so don't sweat the small stuff.