Mike Farrell built a successful career in Hollywood, but his personal life had its share of complexities. After divorcing his first wife, he remarried actress Shelley Fabares, a former teen idol. While their relationship flourished, Farrell's children struggled with the transition.
Shelly Fabares, Mike Farrell, and his children, Michael and Erin during the 'JFK' World Premiere on December 17, 1991, in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images
Over time, the family faced numerous personal and professional challenges, but nothing compared to the life-threatening illness that took Fabares by surprise.
A Hollywood Romance and Family Struggles
Farrell, best known for his role as B.J. Hunnicutt on "M*A*S*H," was born on February 6, 1939, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Being one of four siblings, his family's livelihood came from his father, Joe, a carpenter in Hollywood. Joe died in 1956.Farrell's early years included attending school with future stars like Natalie Wood, sister to Lana Wood, and Ricky Nelson. He later served in the Marine Corps for two years before pursuing acting at the Jeff Corey Workshop and UCLA. His breakthrough roles came in "Days of Our Lives" (1965) and "M*A*S*H" (1972).
During this time, his personal life saw its share of transitions. He married actress Judy Farrell, and together they had two children, Michael and Erin. From the beginning, his priority was always their best interests because of his own upbringing.
Mike Farrell and his son, Michael, during the Benefit Premiere of 'Bob Roberts' on September 1, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Farrell described his father, an Irishman, as emotionally reserved and insistent on toughness. In contrast, the actor's parenting philosophy prioritizes love and emotional support. "I want my children to feel love and be able to express it," he once said.
After his divorce from Judy, Farrell met Fabares, whose own Hollywood journey had been equally remarkable. Born on January 19, 1944, she was a child star who appeared in "The Donna Reed Show" and later starred in three Elvis Presley films. She also achieved pop music fame with the hit song "Johnny Angel."
Shelley Fabares, Paul Petersen, Carl Betz, and Donna Reed in a portrait for 'The Donna Reed Show' circa 1961 | Source: Getty Images
The two actors first met in 1970 when Fabares guest-starred on Farrell's series "The Interns." Their paths crossed again in the early 1980s, and this time, their connection grew into a deep romance. They married in 1984 in a ceremony at the Pacific Palisades home of Fabares's aunt, actress Nanette Fabray.
Farrell once said that his wife had a radiance about her that made her "magical." "I find her a constant source of rejuvenation." To which, the actress responded, "Mike grounds me, and I think I pull him out sometimes. It's a nice mix."
Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell during the 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 19, 1993, in Pasadena, California | Source: Getty Images
Despite their strong love, his children had a difficult time adjusting to their new dynamic. "The divorce was very hard on the kids," Fabares admitted during their early years. "It took a lot of love, patience, courage, and strength, but now they have two solid homes, which is what we all wanted."
Farrell, who is known for his activism and deep convictions, worked tirelessly to ensure his children had stability, even as he and Fabares built a life together and pursued acting roles.
Shelly Fabares, Mike Farrell, and Erin Farrell during the 'ABC Fall Premiere Party' on September 12, 1990, at UCLA | Source: Getty Images
Life and Career After Marriage
The couple's professional careers continued to flourish after their wedding. Farrell, who resisted television for years after "M*A*S*H," eventually took a role in "Providence" (1999). He also worked as a producer, bringing the story of "Patch Adams" (1998) to the screen.Meanwhile, Fabares found renewed success with her role as Christine Armstrong on "Coach," which ran from 1989 to 1997. Her portrayal of a strong-willed newscaster married to a football coach, played by Craig T. Nelson, made her a beloved TV presence once again.
Shelley Fabares in a cast gallery shoot for "Coach" on August 6, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
Away from Hollywood, the couple immersed themselves in humanitarian work. Farrell lobbied against discrimination and was vocal about U.S. policies in El Salvador. Fabares, too, took on advocacy roles, becoming a volunteer and spokeswoman for the Alzheimer's Association in 1988 after her mother, Elsa, was diagnosed with the disease.
Their commitment to activism strengthened their bond, but nothing prepared them for the personal crisis that was about to unfold.
Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares during the screening of "Bopha" on September 21, 1993, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
A Life-Threatening Diagnosis
In 1994, Fabares suffered a devastating fall at her home, breaking multiple ribs. While recovering, routine blood tests revealed something alarming—her liver counts were dangerously high.She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that was progressively attacking her liver. For a few years afterward, medication kept her stable, but in early 1999, she experienced a sudden esophageal bleed, an often fatal complication of liver failure.
Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell during the '2000 Tourette Syndrome Awards Dinner' on February 10, 2000, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
She was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors confirmed she needed an immediate liver transplant. Fabares was stunned.
"I really thought that the transplant was just a 'safety measure' at that time. Something that I might not need at all," she told Medicinet. But her condition deteriorated rapidly, and in April that same year, she was placed on the liver transplant waiting list.
Shelley Fabares at the Premiere Screening of "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election" at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
A Grueling Wait for a Donor
The next 22 months were filled with uncertainty. However, Farrell was always by her side, accompanying her to every doctor's visit. The couple endured several false alarms when her transplant pager went off mistakenly due to wrong numbers.Fabares and her husband felt an overwhelming anxiety at that time. They even feared the stress would hurt them before the transplant.
Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares during the 26th Annual People's Choice Awards on January 9, 2000, in Pasadena, California | Source: Getty Images
As her health worsened, she was exhausted all the time. "I wasn't in pain, but I was sleeping almost all the time," she recalled. The couple relied on the support of doctors and transplant specialists, including Dr. John Vierling and surgeon Dr. Steve Colquhoun, both of whom Fabares credits with saving her life.
Finally, on October 23, 2000, the real call came with a liver for the actress. The transplant was successful but marked the beginning of a long recovery process.
Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares during the 10th annual Memory Walk to benefit the Alzheimer's Association on October 5, 2002, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
The Impact of the Transplant
Three years after the procedure, Fabares reflected on how the experience transformed her life, "Even though life has returned to some degree of normalcy, I'm a different person. What is important to me now, and how I approach life is very different than it was before."Her ordeal strengthened the couple's marriage even further. Farrell never wavered in his support, proving to be her rock during the darkest times.
Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares at a SAG/AFTRA press conference on June 12, 2003, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
In a 2003 interview with Medicinet, Fabares expressed that while "catastrophic illnesses" can fracture families, their experience had the opposite effect, deepening their relationship. "I'm grateful for my life. [...] And most of all, I'm grateful for my husband," she said.
A Legacy of Love and Advocacy
Today, the couple remains devoted to each other. Farrell continues his advocacy work, recently appearing with his daughter at a 2024 event for the Rabbi Leonard Beerman Foundation alongside Nobel laureate Maria Ressa.Erin, who once struggled to accept her stepmother, now shares family photos on social media, including several with Farrell's granddaughter.
Fabares, now retired from acting, chose to focus on voice work for a while. However, her last credit was as the voice of Martha Kent in "Superman: The Animated Series" and a few projects that stemmed from it in the 2000s.
Despite the challenges of blending a family and facing a life-threatening illness, this couple's story shows that true partnership can withstand even the most difficult tests.
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