Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 6, 1994 TAG: 9408100042
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB THOMAS ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
She has done it all. Acting debut at 3. Singing "Young at Heart" with Frank Sinatra on a TV special when she was 9. First TV series at 14. Three movies with Elvis Presley. A million-selling record "Johnny Angel" and a surfing movie with Fabian in the 1960s. Five more series, including "Coach," now entering its sixth season.
As she reminisces in her comfortable Sherman Oaks home, she credits her survival to her longtime idol, Donna Reed:
"It all starts and ends with Donna. That experience, on a professional basis, was certainly the turning point. ... `The Donna Reed Show' was certainly the vehicle that made my name known more than before.
"Professionally speaking, that was a monumental time of learning and growing; in those days, we did 39 episodes a year [current average: 22]. It was truly a steady job," Fabares said.
"On a personal level, it was certainly the most important and influential time for me. I can't think of my life without Donna Reed. She has been such an enormous influence on my life."
"Donna was not given credit for being the head of her own series, the guiding force behind the series. She produced the series, had an enormous part in writing it, and also had four children at home. Having been there, I knew the amazing strength of that woman."
Fabares (pronounced Fah-bah-ray; her aunt (actress) Nanette shortened it to Fabray) acknowledged that the life of child actors is not normal. They are constantly auditioning and being rejected for one reason or another - "it's hard to know who you are and what you are."
She added: "The things that go into the making of a child - you're not totally disciplined, you don't always behave, you have a sense of freedom - those things are not allowed on a set.
"You must be there on time, you're part of a working environment, you're responsible for your lines and your deportment. You can't act like a child."
Fabares talks about such things as though she has undergone years in therapy, which she has. Though it does seem as if she has worked all her life, she suffered a four-year period after "The Donna Reed Show" when she couldn't find a job.
"On a lot of levels, I let nothing faze me," she said. "I felt when the time was ripe, I would work again."
The break came when she auditioned for a role on "Mannix." Her agent called afterward and exclaimed: "I don't believe it; you got the part!"
She followed with a role in the Emmy-winning "Brian's Song." That bridged the gap from adolescence to adulthood.
Fabares' other series: "Little People," a-k-a "The Brian Keith Show," two years; "One Day at a Time," five years; "The Practice" (with Danny Thomas), two years; "Forever Fernwood," one year, five nights a week. She also squeezed in a few features.
In 1984, Fabares married Mike Farrell, whom she had met during CBS promotions for their series, "One Day at a Time" and "M*A*S*H." Both had been married and divorced, and he had two children.
Farrell is well-known as a political and environmental activist, and Fabares has her own pursuit. She is national spokesperson and board member for the National Alzheimer's Association. Her mother suffered from the disease.
"I travel around the country, make speeches, do fund raising, testify before Congress - things that I never thought I would ever do," she remarked. "It is so far out of the realm of what I thought I would be doing with my life. But I had the example of what Mike has done with his life. My experience with the Alzheimer's Association has been one of the most rewarding of my life."
by CNB