Craig T. Nelson Makes Tear-Jerking Tribute After Coach Co-Star Shelley Fabares's Death: 'An Extraordinary Woman'

Shelley Fabares, an actor known for projects such as "Forever Fernwood" and "One Day at a Time," died at the age of 82 on August 22, 2026. She is survived by her husband Mike Farrell, who is an actor as well. Another one of her most well-known projects was "Coach," a sitcom about the coach of a college football team, played by Craig T. Nelson. Fabares' character Christine Armstrong was the love interest for Nelson's character, Coach Hayden Fox, and he shared an emotional tribute following "The Donna Reed Show" star's death. "Shelley was a great and grand lady ... just a rock. I will miss her," Nelson said in a statement his representative provided to Entertainment Weekly. His praise for his co-star extended beyond her skills as an actor, as he called her "just an extraordinary woman."

"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." Nelson ended his sweet statement with, "I'll remember you with love, Shelley Fabares."

A couple years before her passing, Shelley Fabares similarly shared kind words for "Young Sheldon" cast member Craig T. Nelson. While speaking on "That's Classic!" in July 2024, she said, "Craig was a brilliant person to work with, and so funny." Fabares also discussed his prowess for improvisation on set, quoting a time their fellow co-star Jerry Van Dyke asked about it and said, "'You don't do anything the same twice.'" Fabares added, "And that's part of [Nelson's] brilliance. He could do that."

Fabares' family — which includes her husband, "M*A*S*H" star Mike Farrell, and his two children from his previous marriage — also shared a sweet tribute for her after her death, describing her as a " ... loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her" (via People). They discussed her career accolades, including her work with the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. "But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear," they continued, also asking for privacy during the difficult time.