Most Beautiful

Shelley was listed by HubPages

as one of the 26 Most Beautiful

Television Actresses of the 1970s

Shelley began her career as a teen model in the 1960s. But, by the 1970s,  she had jumped to Supermodel status and had become world-renowned. Hollywood came knocking on her door as a result; and she was eventually cast as one of Charlie's Angels. Shelley was indeed one of the most beautiful Supermodels and Hollywood stars of the era. She possessed that classic blonde beauty that came off as both haughty and sweet at the same time. In addition to her fresh and delicate look, Shelley's an intellectual and has good head on her shoulders. She isn't afraid of a challenge, of trying new things. Last September, HubPages listed her as one of the 26 Most Beautiful Television Actresses of the 1970s... along with Angie Dickinson, Stefanie Powers, Lola Falana, Cathy Lee Crosby, Susan Anton, Adrienne Barbeau, Erin Gray, and Jayne Kennedy, to name a few.

beautiful Shelley throughout the years

Shelley was discovered at a debutante ball by a publisher (Huntington Hartford) who urged her to try modeling. With her parent's approval, she became a teen model and was managed by Ford Models, Inc. Upon completing her education, she embarked on a full-time modeling career, and eventually became one of the Supermodels of the 1970s. She later moved to Hollywood and became a lead in three TV series (Charlie's Angels, Cutter to Houston, and Jack and Mike) and starred in several feature films (Annie Hall, The King of Comedy, Troll, and The Stepfather). In the late 1990s, she established Shelley Hack Media Consultancy (SHMC) and helped pre- and post-conflict countries establish democracy through media. Shelley also helped the largest media conglomerate in Eastern Europe develop and build the latest film studio complex in the region. In 2010, Shelley and her husband director Harry Winer formed Smash Media Inc. and have produced documentaries, feature films and TV movies for the Hallmark Channel. Now, that's a beauty with brains.

The Lure of Velour

a closeup of Shelley

from a pic featured in a spread

for Seventeen magazine, August 1970

Shelley began modeling in late 1964. Shelley was discovered by A&P supermarket heir and publisher Huntington Hartford at a debutante ball when she was just 14 years old. It was her first time to be invited to one and her mother instructed Shelley, "If any older men bother you, go powder your nose." And she kept powdering her nose all night long, because "A guy kept bothering me," Shelley said, "He kept coming up to ask, 'Have you ever thought of being a model?'" After careful consideration, and with the help of her mother (a former model herself), she finally decided it was a better summer job than waitressing. They both went to New York to see Eileen Ford (a friend of her mother's) for representation; and the rest is history.

Shelley with Joyce Walker,

Susan Dey, and an unidentified model

in a spread for Seventeen magazine,

August 1970

Shelley appeared on many issues of Seventeen magazine from 1964 to the 1970s. In 1970, she appeared in the magazine's August issue, in several spreads. In a spread called "The Lure of Velour," which featured soft and plushy dresses in knitted velour, she wore a dress that was sure to be a hit to those 1970s sweater girls. Shelley wore the "Peplum Flare," a jacket and skirt ensemble in plushy deep purple. The V-neck long-sleeved jacket had a snug waist with contrasting buttons lined up in front. The skirt was below-the-knee in length. It was by Ruth Manchester. She finished her look with a matching hose by Round-the-Clock and strap on high-rise footwear with unique heels by Patinos. She accessorized her look with a velvet dog collar by Flower Modes. With her hair up, Shelley was alluring.

Shelley in a pic for a spread

in Seventeen magazine,

August 1970

Found Money TV Movie 10

Shelley in a screen capture

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. The movie 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 no 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 to accounts of ordinary citizens who bring kindness to the world. 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 found both Dick Van Dyke and Sid Caesar "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. As for Shelley's performance in Found Money, Television writer Fred Rothenberg said "Miss Hack's acting has improved since she played one of Charlie's Angels." Shelley said of the TV movie, "It's a whole type of distinctly American comedy, the closest to theater on film I'd ever gotten." Prior to Found Money, Shelley had starred in several stage plays in the early 1980s and had received excellent reviews for her performances. She was also cast in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy where she held her own in scenes opposite acting giant Robert De Niro; she got excellent reviews for her performance in the film as well. Shelley had come a very long way indeed.

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983

Charlie's Surprise Bag 5

Shelley in promo pics

for Charlie perfume, 1978

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 "Charlie's Surprise Bag." It was a promo that offered a tote bag that folded up small to pack flat in any suitcase... then opened up big to hold anything from beach gear to vacation souvenirs. It was a dividend for just $6.75 with any $5.00 or more purchase from the Charlie Collection by Revlon. And with the tote came 2 bars of Charlie Fragrant Body Silk Soap, a container of Charlie Body Silk Perfumed Powder and a bottle of concentrated Charlie Perfume Spray. Now wasn't that a great surprise? And of course, an artwork of Shelley appeared in the ad, Charlie gorgeous as ever.

an artwork of Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1978

Glamorous at the Oscars

Shelley at the 52nd Academy Awards,

April 1980

In April 14, 1980, Shelley attended the 52nd Annual Academy Awards, the 52nd Oscars. It was held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles and was hosted by Johnny Carson. And after nearly a decade of anti-fashion, Hollywood was returning back to glamour, and the newest stars were showing everyone how it was done. New York clotheshorse and Supermodel Shelley Hack was one of Hollywood's newly-minted superstars; and she was all about glamour that evening. In her black cross-strapped evening ensemble with matching gold accessories and with her nearly-platinum blonde mane blown straight, Shelley was drop-dead glamorous and gorgeous at the event. The other glamorous stars in attendance were Shelley's co-Angel Farrah Fawcett, fellow Supermodels Lauren Hutton and Marisa Berenson, superstar singers Olivia Newton John and Helen Reddy, Bo Derek, Persis Khambatta, Kristy McNichol, Jamie Lee Curtis, Candice Bergen, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minnelli, Marsha Mason, Jill Clayburgh, Sally Kellerman, Cloris Leachman, Sally Field, Jane Fonda, Ann Margret, Ann Miller, and Meryl Streep who won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kramer vs. Kramer (which also won the award for Best Picture that night).

Shelley at the 52nd Academy Awards,

April 1980

A Reputable Acting Career

Shelley in a sexy promo pic

from 1980

In 1979, Shelley was proclaimed as Charlie's newest Angel and she became a Hollywood superstar virtually overnight. Her face appeared on magazines and newspapers around the world and her casting was even mentioned in the evening news. Everything she said or did became news. But after a year on the TV series, Shelley opted to leave (she signed a one-year contract with a three or five-year option). "I really had no idea it would be as frenetic as it was," Shelley said, "I'm a simple person and I lead a simple life. I believe in keeping my private life to myself." As an Angel, her exes were interviewed, her mother and siblings were besieged by reporters, her entire life was scrutinized. "All I do is lead a dull life, work, go home, go to the supermarket, go to sleep. But suddenly I was public property," said Shelley of her experience. Things mellowed down when she left the series; and Shelley focused on creating a reputable acting career. She headlined several stage plays and got great reviews. She starred in several movies (The King of Comedy, The Stepfather) and got great reviews as well. She was out to prove she was more than just a pretty face and tabloid headlines.

a writeup about Shelley

from the Yorkshire TV Times Magazine,

July 1982

A Classic Film for Halloween

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for The Stepfather, 1987

Halloween is upon us and what better way to celebrate the holiday than to snuggle up with someone and watch horror films. In 1987, Shelley starred in the horror classic The Stepfather. It's been called one of the great horror movies of the 1980s. The Stepfather was released in June of 1987 and has since become a cult classic. Directed by Joseph Ruben, it starred Terry O'Quinn in the title role, as Jerry Blake, a man who had the knack of marrying into the "perfect" family and then killing the family off when he realizes that the family isn't "perfect" after all. Shelley Hack played Susan Maine, the woman who marries Jerry and is willing look past the cracks she's beginning to notice. Jill Schoelen played Stephanie, Susan's daughter by her first marriage. Stephanie doesn't like Jerry, finds him weird and is determined to find out what he is hiding.

a 1987 newspaper ad

promoting The Stepfather

Horror writer Stephen King recently revealed his Top 5 Movies Ever. King, whose works include The Shining, Pet Sematary, Misery and Carrie, is no stranger to his books being adapted for the big and small screens. And he has his choices for the 5 movies he prefers and they were shared by Unilad Ranked this March of 2025. In no particular order, the so-called "King of Horror's" choices were Sorcerer (1977), Les Diaboliques (1955), Duel (1971), The Changeling (1980) and The Stepfather (1987). The screenplay of The Stepfather was written by Donald E. Westlake, from a story by Westlake, Carolyn Lefcourt and Brian Garfield (the latter of Death Wish fame), with an uncredited rewrite by David Loughery. It was loosely based on on the story of John List, the New Jersey man who killed his own family in 1971 and then disappeared. The psychological thriller was released theatrically in 1987 and has gained a cult following ever since.

Shelley with Terry O'Quinn

and Jill Schoelen in a promo pic

for The Stepfather, 1987