Barbara Eden mourns death of Ride the Wild Surf costar Shelley Fabares
Shelley Fabares, known for “The Donna Reed Show” and “Coach,” died at 82 in Los Angeles on Saturday, and on Monday Barbara Eden, her Ride the Wild Surf costar, shared an emotional tribute recalling their decades-long friendship.
TL;DR
- Fabares died aged 82; a cause of death has not been released.
- Eden, 95, posted a tribute recalling their 1964 film together.
- The pair shared a bungalow in Oahu during filming, Eden said.
- Fabares had been married to actor Mike Farrell since 1984.
What Barbara Eden said
Eden posted her tribute on Instagram, remembering the two actresses as close friends on and off screen. She described sharing a bungalow in Oahu with Fabares and the rest of the cast, saying it was “more fun than work” and that the group was having a wonderful time, according to InspireMore.
Eden also called Fabares “a darling woman, a lovely actress and a wonderful singer” and offered condolences to her husband, Mike Farrell, according to Geo.tv.
How Shelley Fabares died
Fabares died on Saturday in Los Angeles; her cause of death has not been made public. Her family said in a statement, shared via The Hollywood Reporter, that she was a source of love, strength and comfort to those who knew her, according to Forbes.
Fabares built her career over six decades. She played Mary Stone on “The Donna Reed Show,” starred opposite Elvis Presley in three films, topped the charts with “Johnny Angel” in 1962, and earned two Emmy nominations for “Coach.”
| Career highlight | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age at death | 82 |
| No. 1 single | “Johnny Angel” (1962) |
| Emmy nominations | 2, for “Coach” |
| Source: Forbes, Aug. 23, 2026 |
The UK angle: where to watch Ride the Wild Surf
British fans wanting to revisit the film that brought Eden and Fabares together have an easy option. Ride the Wild Surf is available to stream for free on Tubi, the ad-supported service that also operates in the UK.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Their history together
Eden and Fabares starred alongside Fabian and Tab Hunter in the 1964 surf drama, filmed largely on Oahu’s North Shore. It marked one of Eden’s early film roles before she became a household name in “I Dream of Jeannie” the following year.
Related reading: Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore dies at 80 | Game of Thrones and Doctor Who actor Tom Chadbon dies at 80 | Voice actor Tom Kane dies at 64 from stroke complications
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed 25 August 2026.
Lewis Calvert Founder & Editor, BriefLedger
Lewis founded BriefLedger and has six years of experience covering film, TV, and entertainment news. He leads the site’s Movies and TV sections and runs the news desk — always with a straight-talking British take.
