The Beatle and THE Charlie Girl

an imagined pic of Shelley with John Lennon

(would be great if a real one would surface)

In the past months, some netizens have been sharing a story about Shelley meeting music legend John Lennon in the late 1970s. The story recounts how the two had met at an art gallery in Manhattan through mutual acquaintances in the art community. The post-Beatles Lennon had become philosophical in his later years and had developed a passionate interest in global issues as well as in the influence of pop culture in generation-shaping. Well-read Charlie Girl Shelley, who has a degree in history, has an interest in variety of intellectual subjects and concepts as well as in various women's issues. The two formed a bond that would result in a genuine and lasting friendship. They exchanged letters; and Lennon even gave Shelley a hand-drawn sketch he called "For the Other Charlie" which Shelley framed and kept in her home. Lennon's passing in 1980 devastated the Charlie Girl turned Angel and she mourned in private. Is the story true? Well, taking into consideration that both are intellectually curious individuals and are both very private, maybe it is. It would be wonderful if there were pics taken of them together though. Thank you so much to Vikings Old History, THE REO BROTHERS NATION WORLDWIDE (REOmania), and Grandmas Just Wanna Have Sarcasm at FB as well as boobie1shoe and bud_larosa at IG for sharing the story. Thank you too to my friend Andy for sharing this info.

an AI overview about Shelley and John Lennon's

friendship in the late 1970s

Cutter Doctor

Shelley in a promo pic

for the TV series Cutter to Houston, 1983

Shelley's second foray into series TV was Cutter to Houston. It was about three young doctors recruited to run a small hospital in the fictional rural town of Cutter, Texas. Shelley played Dr. Beth Gilbert, an ambitious surgeon on temporary assignment in Cutter. Beth aspired to become a heart surgeon in Houston. Jim Metzler played idealistic GP Dr. Andy Fenton, who grew up in Cutter and was glad to be back in the town that financed his medical education. Alec Baldwin played internist/ladies man Dr. Hal Wexler, who was getting through his probation, having been relegated to Cutter for being a little too fast and free with his prescriptions. Other regular cast members included K Callan as Nurse Connie Buford, Susan Styles as Nurse Patty Alvarez and Noble Willingham as Mayor Warren Jarvis. It was first aired on October 1, 1983; and after 4 original episodes, it was announced cancelled by October 29, 1983. Replays and three more original episodes were aired until December 31, 1983. There were two more completed episodes; but they weren't aired during the show's initial 1983 run. Let's hope the entire series is finally streamed somewhere.

Shelley in a promo pic

for the TV series Cutter to Houston, 1983

Summer Ready

a closeup of Shelley

from the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 9284, 1971

Shelley appeared on many Simplicity pattern catalogs, brochures and packaging during the 1960s and 1970s. The Simplicity Pattern Company is the leading manufacturer of sewing patterns and sewing pattern guides which are distributed throughout the world. They have been manufacturing sewing patterns since 1927 and have allowed fashionistas on a budget and sewing aficionados to create clothes in a reliable manner. In 1971, Shelley appeared on the package cover for Simplicity Pattern 9284. It was a pattern for an easy-to-make, midriff shirt and hip-hugger bell-bottom pants set. The midriff shirt had a front button closing, shirt-type collar and long-set-in sleeves gathered to buttoned cuffs. It had front extensions tied under the bustline to expose a bare midriff (perfect for the summer heat). The hip-hugger bell-bottom pants didn't have a waistband, had a back zipper, and an  optional braid and button trim. It also had an optional purchased belt. Matching footwear finished her look. With her hair in pigtails, Shelley looked ready for those fun summer games and activities.

Shelley on the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 9284, 1971

Dinosaurs, Diamonds, and Angels 2

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Look-In magazine was a kiddie/teen UK magazine that featured two-page comic/picture strips of the most popular television shows of the era. Subtitled as "The Junior TV Times," its first issue came out in 1971 and its final issue came out in 1994. Many popular American TV series were featured in the mag including Kung Fu, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, CHiPs, Battlestar Galactica, Mork and Mindy... and, of course Charlie's Angels.

Shelley as Tiffany Welles in Look-In mag's

Charlie's Angels comic/picture strip, 1980

From 1979 to 1980, during the airing of the 4th season of Charlie's Angels, Shelley's Tiffany Welles character was featured in the mag's Charlie's Angels comic/picture strip. Along with her co-Angels Kelly Garrett (Jaclyn Smith) and Kris Munroe (Cheryl Ladd), Tiffany solved cases for Charlie for several issues, two pages a week. Her first case debuted on November of 1979 and her final case ended on October of 1980. The mag also featured occasional writeups about Shelley as well as posters of her and the Angel team of that season.

Shelley Hack with Jaclyn Smith,

David Doyle and Cheryl Ladd

in a promo pic for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Feedbag by Charlie

a tuxedoed Shelley in a promo pic

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1977

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and was Revlon Charlie's image model from 1976 to 1982. Charlie was one of the first mega-successful lifestyle brands in the world. The phenomenal success of the brand was due in part to Shelley's unforgettable image. Although there were a slew of other Charlie models before her, it was Shelley's image that catapulted the brand to iconic status. Everybody in the world wanted to be a Charlie Girl because of Shelley. Her portrayal of the confident, fabulous and independent woman who was unapologetic and happy about that fact captured the imagination of many worldwide and made Charlie one of the best-selling brands in history.

Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1978

In 1978, she appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie called "The Charlie Feedbag." It was a promo that offered customers a chance to purchase "Charlie's Feedbag" for only $8.00 with any $5.00 or more purchase from the Charlie collection. "The Charlie Feedbag" was a handy, adjustable canvas tote that contained a 4-ounce bottle of Charlie Body Silk head-to-toe moisturizer, which was great for fighting after-summer dryness. And, as always, Shelley was gorgeous in the fabulous ad.

a tuxedoed Shelley in promo pics (right)

and in screen caps from a Charlie commercial (left)

endorsing Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1977

Trying To Balance

Shelley with Tom Mason in a promo pic

for their TV series Jack and Mike, 1986

Shelley's third foray into series TV was Jack and Mike in 1986. It was about a married yuppie couple living in Chicago, trying to find time for each other amidst their busy schedules. Shelley played Jackie Shea, a star columnist at The Mirror, a fictional Chicago newspaper. Tom Mason played Jackie's husband Mike Brennan, a successful restaurateur. Regarding her character, Shelley said, "My character is doing what all my friends are doing. They're in the work place and trying to have a relationship." She told ET in 1986, "I saw in the script a modern woman who really loves her job and really loves her husband and is trying to balance the two." The pilot episode was originally aired in September 16, 1986 right after the hit TV series Moonlighting; and debuted to decent ratings. It also received decent reviews, with a few scathing writeups here and there. After a first order of a pilot and 12 episodes, the ABC network (which aired the series) ordered five more episodes; and the series looked like it was in for a long run. Then, it was suddenly canceled to the disappointment of fans. Let's hope the entire series is finally streamed somewhere.

a writeup about Shelley working

on Jack and Mike, 1986

International Superstar

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Shelley became Charlie's newest Angel in 1979, and she jumped from being THE Charlie Girl to becoming Charlie's latest Superstar Angel. Shelley's casting made news around the world. It was a huge deal. "I still have not really recovered from the surprise of landing the part," Shelley said at the time. "Yesterday, I was a schnook, and today I can't get across the street" is how Shelley described her sudden rise to Hollywood stardom. "It has been quite a whirl," she said. "I was surprised by the amount of attention, but I had done a lot of press before. There was so much to do then, so you just deal with it," she added. Her casting made her an international superstar before she even filmed anything for the hit series.

Shelley with Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd

on the cover of the Greek magazine Puzzle, 1979

Fashion Doll Dress

Shelley on a package cover

for Linda doll Dresses, 1970s

Shelley (who was represented by model agent Eileen Ford) began to modeling, part-time, during her summer breaks from school in the 1960s. Later, after graduating from Smith College, she signed on full-time at Ford Models Inc., and became one of the most in-demand models in the United States. She appeared on magazine and catalog covers and pages, on newspapers, on print and TV advertisements, and even on packaging covers. In the early 1970s, she appeared on the package cover for Linda Dresses, a German company that sold garments for fashion dolls. The package that Shelley appeared on was for dolls 29-30 cm in size. The pic of Shelley used on it was the same one used on a 1971 Hot Pants cologne ad (for more, check out: Hot Pants, 1971). And Shelley looked young, fresh and natural.

a closeup of Shelley

from a package cover

for Linda doll Dresses, 1970s

Earth Day '92

Shelley at the 3rd Annual

Earth Day Walk-A-Thon, 1992

Shelley attended Permanent Charities Committee of the Entertainment Industries' (which later became the EIF - Entertainment Industry Foundation) 3rd Annual Earth Day Walk-A-Thon to Benefit Environment Charities in 1992. This event was a part of the committee's effort to support various charitable causes within the entertainment industry. Held in March 28 of that year at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, she came with her husband, director Harry Winer, and her two-year-old daughter, Devon Rose. Other actors in attendance were Dean Stockwell, Danica McKellar, and Josh Saviano.

Shelley at the 3rd Annual

Earth Day Walk-A-Thon, 1992

Young, Chic and Contemporary

a closeup of Shelley

from the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 9274, 1971

Shelley appeared on many Simplicity pattern catalogs, brochures and packaging during the 1960s and 1970s. The Simplicity Pattern Company is the leading manufacturer of sewing patterns and sewing pattern guides which are distributed throughout the world. They have been manufacturing sewing patterns since 1927 and have allowed fashionistas on a budget and sewing aficionados to create clothes in a reliable manner. In 1971, Shelley appeared on the package cover for Simplicity Pattern 9274. It was a pattern for a misses' dress in two lengths (below-the knee and floor-length) or a tunic. The dress or tunic had a back zipper, a high round neckline, and set-in sleeves. The below-the-knee dress and the tunic had short sleeves, contrasting patch pockets, yoke sections and a belt. The floor-length dress had long sleeves, button trim and a purchased belt. Both dresses had braid trim and slit openings at lower end of side seams. Shelley wore the below-the knee dress and finished it with matching heeled sandals. She accessorized her look with a fun choker, various rings and bracelets, and a bob wig with bangs. And Shelley looked young, chic and contemporary.

Shelley on the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 9274, 1971

Dinosaurs, Diamonds, and Angels 1

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Look-In magazine was a kiddie/teen UK magazine that featured two-page comic/picture strips of the most popular television shows of the era. Subtitled as "The Junior TV Times," its first issue came out in 1971 and its final issue came out in 1994. Many popular American TV series were featured in the mag including Kung Fu, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, CHiPs, Battlestar Galactica, Mork and Mindy... and, of course, Charlie's Angels.

Shelley as Tiffany Welles in Look-In mag's

Charlie's Angels comic/picture strip, 1980

From 1979 to 1980, during the airing of the 4th season of Charlie's Angels, Shelley's Tiffany Welles character was featured in the mag's Charlie's Angels comic/picture strip. Along with her co-Angels Kelly Garrett (Jaclyn Smith) and Kris Munroe (Cheryl Ladd), Tiffany solved cases for Charlie for several issues, two pages a week. Her first case debuted on November of 1979 and her final case ended on October of 1980. The mag also featured occasional writeups about Shelley as well as posters of her and the Angel team of that season.

Shelley Hack with Jaclyn Smith,

David Doyle and Cheryl Ladd

in a promo pic for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Charlie Feedbag

Shelley in a promo pic

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1977

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and appeared in many, many ads for the brand. In 1978, she appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie called "The Charlie Feedbag." It was a promo that offered customers a chance to purchase "Charlie's Feedbag" for only $8.00 with any $5.00 or more purchase from the Charlie collection. "The Charlie Feedbag" was a handy, adjustable canvas tote that contained a 4-ounce bottle of Charlie Body Silk head-to-toe moisturizer, which was great for fighting after-summer dryness. And, as always, Shelley was gorgeous in the fabulous ad.

Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1978

Conquering Stage

a paparazzi pic of Shelley

from the early 1980s

Shelley left Charlie's Angels in 1980 and was determined to make most of the doors opened by her stint on the phenomenal hit TV series. She said, "I didn't want to leave Los Angeles without doing something good." In 1981, she starred in the Jack Heifner play Vanities which was filmed on stage for HBO's Standing Room Only. "I don't know how I got the guts to go right into a play immediately after leaving the series," Shelley said. But her gamble paid off and she surprised many critics. She received glowing reviews for her performance.

paparazzi pics of Shelley

from the early 1980s

In September of 1982, she starred as Billie Dawn in the Pennsylvania Stage Co.'s production of Born Yesterday. The play ran from September 29 to October 24 of that year and was presented at the J.I. Rodale Theater in Allentown. Regarding Shelley's portrayal of Billie Dawn, Sylvia Lawler (writer for The Morning Call) said, "That she acquitted herself endearingly enough in Born Yesterday came as something of a surprise to a lot of people." She added that Shelley's performance had "a touching and engaging innocence." The next year, she starred in Elizabeth Diggs's Close Ties, a Los Angeles Public Theater production (also aired on cable TV in March 6, 1983) which was presented at the Coronet Theatre in LA.  "I guess I did get spunky," Shelley said, "I decided I was going to run my own life." She received great reviews as well.

paparazzi pics of Shelley

from the early 1980s

Accessible and Beautiful

a closeup of Shelley

from an ad for Theo, 1976

In the 1970s, after finishing her schooling, Shelley signed on full-time at her modeling agency, Ford Models Inc., and became one of the highest-paid Supermodels of the era. She appeared in countless fashion spreads and ads for the best-selling magazines around the world such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Elle and Mademoiselle. In 1976, she appeared in an ad for Theo. Theo was a clothing line that was dubbed as "The Affordable Alternative." The line included shirts, blouses, pants, skirts and jackets. Shelley appeared in a 1976 ad for Theo wearing a shirt, pants and jacket ensemble. And Shelley looked smart, laid-back, accessible, and beautiful.

Shelley in an ad for Theo, 1976

Opened Doors

a promo pic of Shelley from 1980

Shelley's fame as a Supermodel, as THE Charlie Girl, opened Hollywood doors for her (While she was modeling, she was also studying acting in New York, at the Herbert Berghof Studios under Jack Wolzer.) Her acting debut was as a memorable bit role as a vacuous WASP in the 1977 Academy Award winning Woody Allen film Annie Hall. In 1978, she got her first leading lady role opposite Joe Brooks in the film If Ever I See You Again (which spawned the hit single with the same title - as interpreted by Roberta Flack). She was also under consideration for the role of Holly Goodhead in the James Bond film Moonraker. In 1979, she had a guest role in the TV series, Married: the First Year. In the same year, she declined to be cast as leading lady in the feature film, Time After Time, which was directed by her then boyfriend Nicholas Meyer. She settled for a voice over role in it instead. And then she auditioned for the role of Tiffany Welles in the TV series Charlie's Angels. She got the part and was thrust into international Hollywood superstardom. 

a promo pic of Shelley from 1980

Options

Shelley in a promo pic from 1979

In February of 1980, it was reported that during the Charlie's Angels Valentine's Day Party at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, cards were handed out to Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and David Doyle, inviting them to join the fifth season of the TV series. And it was also reported that Shelley didn't get one and the news quickly spread. But the truth is Shelley wasn't fired. She signed a one-year contract with the show which had a three or five-year option. According to Glamour magazine in May of 1980, "Shelley isn't being fired", the producers of the show said, "Actually, Shelley must decide whether she wants to continue with the show." It was probably why she didn't get one? But then according that same Glamour article, Shelley said, "I'm not sure whether my option is being picked up for the next season." Well, as everyone knows, it wasn't. But then Shelley was okay with that, because, as she told TV Tales: Charlie's Angels in 2002, doing Angels for a year was already more than enough for her.

a writeup about Shelley from 1980

Nautical-Themed

a closeup of Shelley

from the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 9283, 1971

Shelley appeared on many Simplicity pattern catalogs, brochures and packaging during the 1960s and 1970s. The Simplicity Pattern Company is the leading manufacturer of sewing patterns and sewing pattern guides which are distributed throughout the world. They have been manufacturing sewing patterns since 1927 and have allowed fashionistas on a budget and sewing aficionados to create clothes in a reliable manner. In 1971, Shelley appeared on the package cover for Simplicity Pattern 9283. It was a pattern from Simplicity's "How-To-Sew" series. It was a junior's and misses' pattern for a pantdress in two lengths. Version 1 was for an above-the-knee pantdress and version 2 was for a mini-length pantdress. Both versions had a front zipper, a V-shaped neckline, and a recommended but optional purchased belt. Version 1 had a contrasting sailor collar (with braid trim), patch pockets (with purchased appliques), and a tie. Version 2 had short set-in sleeves and a pointed collar. Shelley wore version 1 and finished it with a pair of matching chunky-heeled, buckled ladies loafers. Matching earrings and a gold bracelet accessorized her look.  And Shelley looked young, fun and ready for a nautical-themed event.

Shelley on the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 9283, 1971

Terrific New Angel

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for Charlie's Angels, 1979

"I remember there was a big Angel hunt going on, and they asked me to audition," Shelley Hack said in 1979, "but I wasn't involved until sometime later when my agent called and said, 'It's a terrific show - you really should think about testing.' So, I thought about it again and went in." Shelley Hack passed the audition and got the part of Tiffany Welles in the phenomenal hit TV series Charlie's Angels. And Shelley fit the bill perfectly. Tiffany Welles, was written as a Smith College graduate, a girl from the East who was not a voluptuous sexpot (a refined version of her predecessor Sabrina Duncan). And she came with the approval of her new co-Angels. Jaclyn Smith said, "I feel good about her. I think the three of us are going to get along great." Cheryl Ladd said, "Shelley seems like a terrific girl. I think she's good and I'll do everything I can to make her feel at home."

Shelley Hack with Jaclyn Smith

and Cheryl Ladd in a promo pic

for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Charlie 6-Pack

Shelley as THE sporty Charlie Girl in promo pics

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1979

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and appeared in many, many ads for the brand. In 1979, an artwork Shelley as THE sporty Charlie Girl appeared in a Charlie newspaper ad called "Have a Charlie Summer: Looking Good... Feeling Great." It was a promo for The Charlie Fragrance 6-Pack which was made up of six wonderfully packable Charlie things: two bars of Charlie Fragrant Body Silk Soap, a container Charlie Body Silk Foam Bath, a container of Charlie Body Silk, a bottle of Charlie Cologne, and a bottle of Charlie Concentrated Perfume Spray. It was available for only $6.00 with any $5.00 purchase from the Charlie Collection. It was also a promo for a Parks-Belk's raffle where the giveaways were a hundred dollars worth of top-quality tennis equipment... which included a tennis bag, racquet, balls, shoes, socks, wristbands and hats. And Shelley as THE sporty Charlie Girl was the perfect image for the promo.

an artwork of Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1979

Excellent Stage Actress

Shelley in a promo pic

from the early 1980s

In 1980, with her modeling career winding down and with a publicity "jump-start" (believe it or not) from Charlie's Angels, Shelley seriously pursued an acting career... beginning with a stage play at the Westside Playhouse in Los Angeles. "I don't know how I got the guts to go right into a play immediately after leaving the series," Shelley said. "I started doing theater for the first time in my life although I'd never been on a stage before." Shelley starred alongside Meredith Baxter Birney and Annette O'Toole in the Jack Heifner play Vanities which was filmed for TV (in November 1980) as part of HBO's Standing Room Only series; it was aired in March of 1981. Shelley surprised her detractors and won critical acclaim for her role.

Shelley with Meredith Baxter Birney

and Annette O'Toole in a promo pic

for the play Vanities, 1980

"I guess I did get spunky," Shelley said, "I decided I was going to run my own life." She then went east to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to star in the Garson Kanin play Born Yesterday. Staged by the renowned Pennsylvania Stage Company, the play ran from September 29 to October 24 of 1982.  "I am interested in developing my career as an actress and doing as much work in the theater as I can," Shelley said in 1982. PSC's 1982 staging of Born Yesterday starred Shelley alongside Michael O. Smith and Fritz Sperberg. Stephen Rothman, the executive director of the critically acclaimed Pasadena Playhouse, was the director. And Shelley wowed audiences (and her critics alike) with her performance. Shelley continued tackling live theater to further hone her acting chops. In 1983, she went back to Los Angeles to film another stage play for TV, Elizabeth Diggs's Close Ties, a Los Angeles Public Theater production which was presented at the Coronet Theatre in LA. Co-starring Kim Darby, Alan Oppenheimer, and Christopher Guest, the play was directed by Arvin Brown, the artistic director for the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, Connecticut. Shelley again got excellent reviews for her performance.

Shelley in a promo pic

from the early 1980s

Evening Gown

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for Carefree Patterns From McCall's,

January 1973

Shelley appeared on the pages of the Carefree Patterns From McCall's catalog, the January 1973 edition. The big book catalog featured the latest fashion patterns from McCall's for that season. Shelley appeared on several spreads throughout the catalog. In one spread, she wore pattern number 3884. It was a ankle-length empire-cut dress with a square neckline, puffed sleeves and back zipper. The sleeves and the yoke were done in a festive, printed fabric while the dress was in elegant evening black. Evening sandals finished her look. And Shelley looked ready for an evening of holiday fun. And Shelley looked ready for an evening of fun.

Shelley in a spread

for Carefree Patterns From McCall's,

January 1973

Birthday Girls

Shelley and Cheryl Ladd

at The Love Boat Honors Helen Hayes event,

Feb 2, 1980

Shelley joined the cast of Charlie's Angels in 1979. In May of that year, she was chosen by producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg to replace Kate Jackson in the hit TV series. Spelling and Goldberg were looking for someone long and lean like Kate. They were looking for a girl with "the right bubble and intelligence." The new Angel, Tiffany Welles, was written as a Smith College graduate, a girl from the East who was not a voluptuous sexpot... and Shelley fit the bill perfectly. Plus, she came with the approval of her future co-Angels Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. Jaclyn said, "I feel good about her. I think the three of us are going to get along great." Cheryl said, "Shelley seems like a terrific girl. I think she's good and I'll do everything I can to make her feel at home." In fact, Shelley said that her fondest memory of Charlie's Angels was the first time she met Jaclyn and Cheryl. Both of them were so nice to her.

Cheryl Ladd greeted Shelley

a "Happy happy birthday"

and wished her "a blessed day"

at the Shelley Hack fan page's birthday post on FB

Belated Happy Birthday to Cheryl Ladd as well!!!

Leslie Phillips

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983

Shelley appeared alongside comedy legends Dick Van Dyke and Sid Caesar in the 1983 TV movie Found Money. Originally titled Max and Sam (Van Dyke's and Caesar's characters) the movie was re-titled My Secret Angel then finally Found Money. The film was about computer expert Max Shepherd and security guard Sam Green, two former employees of First National Bank who have been let go with little to nil benefits after decades of employment. Max uses his computer skills to create an account in the bank using the money from inactive accounts that are automatically transferred to the state when not claimed after five years. Using the name Seymour Good, head of The Invisible Friend Inc., he transfers the money instead to accounts of ordinary citizens who bring kindness to the world - starting with $10,000 in Sam's account. After some convincing, Sam joins Max in his quest. As good Samaritans begin receiving the money, the story is picked up by the press and is covered by reporter Leslie Phillips (Shelley Hack) who becomes Max's love interest.

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983

Shelley had a very promising acting career immediately after leaving Charlies Angels in 1980. She honed her acting skills on stage in Jack Heifner's Vanities, Elizabeth Diggs's Close Ties and Garson Kanin’s Born Yesterday, wowing her critics and detractors as she did. She shined in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy opposite Robert De Niro. She was great opposite George Segal in the TV movie Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer. And she held her own in the telefilm Found Money opposite legendary comedians Dick Van Dyke and Sid Caesar. Shelley found both of them "very generous to work with" but had to keep up with the their pace. "You had to work so fast, because everything was left loose," she told TV Guide. "I felt like I kind of jumped on a moving train," she added. Shelley would again work with Dick Van Dyke in 1997 - as a guest star in his series Diagnosis Murder.

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983