All About Shelley Fabares and “M*A*S*H” Star Mike Farrell’s Relationship

Emma BanksMon, August 24, 2026 at 4:51 PM UTC

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Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell at an event hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association in 2003Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty -

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell were married for 42 years

The actors rose to fame as cast members of The Donna Reed Show and M*A*S*H, respectively

Fabares died at the age of 82 on Aug. 22

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell were married for over 40 years before her death on Aug. 22.

The longtime Hollywood couple met in 1970 and tied the knot in 1984. Both actors, they became household names for their respective roles in The Donna Reed Show and M*A*S*H.

Fabares also starred in three movies alongside Elvis Presley and released four albums over the course of her career. When she landed the role of Christine Armstrong Fox on Coach, Farrell cheered her on from the sidelines.

“I used to sit in the audience every Friday night when they taped, and I loved it,” he recalled during an April 2026 appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.

Faberes was 82 when she died in August 2026. Farrell confirmed his wife’s death in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

“Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” the statement read in part.

Here’s everything to know about Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell’s relationship.

They met in 1970 on the set of The Interns

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell in Los Angeles in 1985Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Fabares and Farrell met in 1970 when she guest-starred on an episode of Farrell’s medical drama The Interns, which aired from 1970 to 1971 on CBS.

At the time, Fabares was still married to record producer Lou Adler, though the couple had separated in 1966. Farrell, for his part, was married to Judy Farrell, whom he eventually divorced in 1983. Mike and Judy costarred on M*A*S*H as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt and Nurse Able, respectively.

They got married in 1984

Fabares and Farrell reconnected 12 years after their initial meeting at a CBS affiliates convention in 1982. Farrell invited Fabares for coffee and proposed within a year at a restaurant in Topanga, Calif.

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The couple subsequently said “I do” at the home of Fabares’ aunt, actress Nanette Fabray, in 1984.

“There is a light inside her that is just magical,” Farrell told PEOPLE in 1991. “I find her a constant source of rejuvenation.”

Fabares added, “Mike grounds me, and I think I pull him out sometimes. It’s a nice mix.”

Fabares was a stepmother to Farrell’s two children

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell with his two kids, Michael and ErinCredit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Fabares became a stepmom when she married Farrell, who had previously welcomed two children with his first wife, Judy. The former couple were married from 1963 to 1983.

“The divorce was very hard on the kids,” Fabares told PEOPLE in 1991. “It took a lot of love, patience, courage and strength, but now they have two solid homes, which is what we all wanted.”

They advocated for various causes, including Alzheimer’s research

Both Fabares and Farrell were committed to advocacy work throughout their careers in Hollywood. After Fabares’ mother, Elsa, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the actress became involved with fundraising for Alzheimer’s research.

Farrell, for his part, is a political and social justice activist who has been active with several organizations, including Human Rights Watch, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Death Penalty Focus, according to the latter organization’s website. He is also the author of two books: Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist and Of Mule and Man.

Fabares died in August 2026

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ in 2018Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Fabares died at the age of 82 on Aug. 22 surrounded by loved ones. The Coach alum’s family confirmed her death in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” Fabares’ family said. “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.”

Farrell and family added that they “will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage and beautiful spirit.”

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”