Halston '72

a closeup of Shelley

from a 1972 fashion pic for Halston

Shelley was among the models who appeared in a spread for Vogue wearing Halston's latest creations for 1972. Vogue ran pictures of Halston in their December 1972 issue with models wearing his latest designs. Aside from Shelley, the other models were Anjelica Huston, Pola (Paula Klimak), Lynn Woodruff, Chris Royer, Emmanuelle, Apollonia Van Ravenstein, Denise Hopkins, Karen Bjornson and Pat Cleveland. "He (Halston) didn't want a bunch of blank-faced models," Anjelica Huston said, "He wanted girls with personality. It was about attitude. It was about the way you walked. Character." And that's what all of his models had.

Shelley with Halston and 10 other models

in Halston fashions, 1972

Shelley Leaves Angels

a promo pic of Shelley, 1978

Shelley left Charlie's Angels after only one season, and she was unfairly blamed for the ratings dip that season. But in reality, the series already experienced a huge dip in the ratings the season before she came in. It dropped from #4 in season 2 to #12 in season 3. By the 3rd season, the series was out of the top 10 shows of that year. And when season 4 came around, it seems the production put the burden of putting the show back into the top 10 on Shelley's shoulders. How? By limiting her lines and screen time as well recycling stories and under developing her character. It seems Shelley was fighting a losing battle. But in spite of all that, the series still landed at #18 (tied with CHiPs) in the ratings, in the top 20 shows that year.

a writeup about Shelley's leaving Charlie's Angels, 1980

The Show-Case

Shelley in a promo pic for Charlie perfume, 1977

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and appeared in many, many ads for the brand. In 1977, she appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie called "Charlie's Show-Case." It was a promo that offered the Charlie's Show-Case, a fashionable $30 mirrored case containing Charlie makeup and perfume, for just $6 with any $5 or more purchase from the Charlie Collection by Revlon. Now wasn't that a great purchase.

Shelley in an ad for Charlie perfume, 1977

Diagnosis Murder Guesting 5

Diagnosis Murder Season 5 Part 1 DVD set, 

Diagnosis Murder Season 5 DVD set, 

Diagnosis Murder The Complete Collection, 

released in 2013, 2013 and 2016 respectively

Shelley guest-starred in the Dick Van Dyke TV series Diagnosis Murder in 1997. Diagnosis Murder was a TV series that aired from 1993 to 2001 and starred TV legend Dick Van Dyke. He played Dr. Mark Sloan, a former US Army doctor who served in a MASH unit and consequently became a renowned physician who consults with the local police as his son, Steve (played by Barry Van Dyke) is a homicide detective. Dr. Sloan's fellow doctors at Community General Hospital help him out as well. The series was a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman and was initially three TV movies before becoming a regular TV series.

screen captures of Shelley 

from the Diagnosis Murder episode

"Looks Can Kill" 1997

Shelley appeared in the season 5 episode "Looks Can Kill" playing celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Elaine Denell. Dr. Denell's clinic was a profit-driven entity that specialized in quick surgical procedures with no questions asked. When a patient of the clinic suddenly dies at Community General Hospital, Dr. Sloan takes a closer look at Dr. Denell's practice and investigates for possible malpractice. Shelley's performance in the episode was stellar. She had become well-seasoned and it showed. The part fit her perfectly and she knew how to handle her character. Plus, her rapport with Dick Van Dyke (whom she starred with in the 1983 TV movie Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer) was very evident. Jill Whelan and Anthony Michael Hall appeared in the episode as well. If you can get it, watch it!

more screen captures of Shelley

from the Diagnosis Murder episode

"Looks Can Kill" 1997

Youthful Sophistication 3

a closeup of Shelley from a 1964 pic

from Show magazine

Show publisher and A&P heir Huntington Hartford discovered Shelley at a debutante ball and urged her to try modeling. He liked her look so much, he put the 17-year-old high school student on the pages of his magazine. Shelley appeared on the pages of Show in a spread called "Shelley Hack, A Show First" on their September 1964 issue. Describing her as a perfect model of youthful sophistication, the mag said she had a whimsical look about her and had a long line of fashion magazines clamoring to immortalize her look. The mag had the first published pictures of Shelley. A month later, she appeared on the November 1964 covers of both Glamour and Seventeen magazines. Twelve years later, she was a Supermodel.

Shelley from Show magazine, 1964

Christine in 1984

Shelley joined the cast of Night Court in 1984

In 1984, Shelley joined the cast of the nighttime sitcom Night Court for its second season. She was cast to play public defender Christine Sullivan, a character to be romantically involved with Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson). Shelley said, "I liked the show. They offered me the role. I went and met with them and liked them." But when the series started shooting, producer Reinhold Weege decided she wasn't right for the part. Shelley explained, "What happened was the role was changed somewhere between that meeting and my first day on the set." Director Jeff Melman said, "We rehearsed and... for the first episode. And we had a run through for the network and they made the decision that, you know, Shelley Hack wasn't working and wanted to replace her." So the actress and the producer Weege mutually and amicably agreed to call the whole thing off. According to Richard Moll, who played bailiff Bull Shannon in the sitcom, "Shelley Hack was very sweet. She lasted about 16 minutes, as I remember, yeah. That was tough." Ellen Foley was brought in for that season to replace Shelley - as a new character, public defender Billie Young.

a writeup about Shelley joining Night Court, 1984

Soft, Elegant '78

closeup of Shelley from a spread

for Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog

Shelley did a lot of catalog work during her tenure as a full-time Supermodel in the 1970s. She appeared in many spreads throughout the Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog. In the spread called "Soft and Elegant," she wore the Lace Tunic Over Double-Knit Long Dress ensemble. It was made up of a sleeveless empire-style long dress with a V-neckline in front, low round neckline at the back and a back zipper opening and topped with a lace tunic that had cape-effect shoulders, a round neckline, covered-button closing at the shoulder and a tie-closure at the elasticized waistline. Hoop earrings and bone-color sandals finished her look. And Shelley looked soft, sophisticated and sensational.

Shelley in a spread for Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog

Fashions of the Times D

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for Fashions of the Times, Aug 1972

In 1972, Shelley appeared in a spread for Fashions of the Times, a magazine that came with The New York Times which featured the latest in city fashion. She appeared in a spread called "Wear Sportswear. Be In Step With Today." and wore several looks that were the latest in autumn 1972 daywear. The outfits she wore could be found in retail stores around New York. In one pic, she wore a tailored suit which included a gray flannel jacket and vest, wide-legged tattersall pants and rayon crepe shirt - all by Victor Joris for V & J. Shelley was stunning and looked in step with the times.

Shelley from a spread

for Fashions of the Times, Aug 1972

A Great Addition

Shelley in a paparazzi pic, 1980

In 1979, Shelley became Charlie's Angel no. 5 during the 4th season of the popular series. Everyone was excited to see THE Charlie Girl bring her brand of beauty and glamour into the Townsend Detective Agency. The series experienced a significant drop in the ratings during its 3rd season (it dropped from #4 to #12 in the Nielsens) and Shelley, with her high-profile Supermodel image, brought just the right dose of publicity, attention and interest to get the series back within the TV's top ten shows. But then she was given little to do or say (especially in her first episodes). They said she couldn't act, but if you watch her performances on projects that aired at around that same time (Death Car on the Freeway and an episode of the Love Boat), she wasn't bad at all. They said she didn't integrate with her co-Angels, but moments of her rapport with Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd could be witnessed in the episode "Angels Go Truckin'" and some others. In some episodes, it can be noticed that her reactions and dialogue to her co-stars were either cut short or had no audio. So how was she supposed to save the show, by her mere presence alone? In the end, she was blamed for the further drop in the ratings; and she left the series. But after so many years and after re-watching that season, many fans have changed their minds about her. Many have realized that Shelley was such a great addition to the show after all.

Shelley in a paparazzi pic, 1980

Kenzo Clad

a closeup of Shelley in a pic

for Mademoiselle magazine, 1972

Shelley appeared on many magazines throughout her modeling career. One of them was Mademoiselle magazine. In 1972, she appeared on their pages photographed by Arthur Elgort and clad in fabulous fashions by Kenzo. The luxury brand Kenzo was founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada; and he was known for using Asian and Japanese-influenced style in his designs with the construction of European fashion. Shelley wore his trendy separates with class and elan.

Shelley with designer Kenzo Takada

in a pic for Mademoiselle magazine, 1972

Diagnosis Murder Guesting 4

Diagnosis Murder Season 5 Part 1 DVD set, 

Diagnosis Murder Season 5 DVD set, 

Diagnosis Murder The Complete Collection, 

released in 2013, 2013 and 2016 respectively

Shelley guest-starred in the Dick Van Dyke TV series Diagnosis Murder in 1997. Diagnosis Murder was a TV series that aired from 1993 to 2001 and starred TV legend Dick Van Dyke. He played Dr. Mark Sloan, a former US Army doctor who served in a MASH unit and consequently became a renowned physician who consults with the local police as his son, Steve (played by Barry Van Dyke) is a homicide detective. Dr. Sloan's fellow doctors at Community General Hospital help him out as well. The series was a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman and was initially three TV movies before becoming a regular TV series.

screen captures of Shelley 

from the Diagnosis Murder episode 

"Looks Can Kill" 1997

Shelley appeared in the season 5 episode "Looks Can Kill" playing celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Elaine Denell. Dr. Denell's clinic was a profit-driven entity that specialized in quick surgical procedures with no questions asked. When a patient of the clinic suddenly dies at Community General Hospital, Dr. Sloan takes a closer look at Dr. Denell's practice and investigates for possible malpractice. Shelley's performance in the episode was stellar. She had become well-seasoned and it showed. The part fit her perfectly and she knew how to handle her character. Plus, her rapport with Dick Van Dyke (whom she starred with in the 1983 TV movie Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer) was very evident. Jill Whelan and Anthony Michael Hall appeared in the episode as well. If you can get it, watch it!

more screen captures of Shelley

from the Diagnosis Murder episode

"Looks Can Kill" 1997

Youthful Sophistication 2

a closeup of Shelley from Show magazine, 1964

Show publisher and A&P heir Huntington Hartford discovered Shelley at a debutante ball and urged her to try modeling. He liked her look so much, he put the 17-year-old high school student on the pages of his magazine. Shelley appeared on the pages of Show in a spread called "Shelley Hack, A Show First" on their September 1964 issue. Describing her as a perfect model of youthful sophistication, the mag said she had a whimsical look about her and had a long line of fashion magazines clamoring to immortalize her look. The mag had the first published pictures of Shelley. A month later, she appeared on the November 1964 covers of both Glamour and Seventeen magazines. Twelve years later, she was a Supermodel.

Shelley in a spread for Show magazine, 1964

PD Sullivan

a closeup of Shelley from a publicity pic

for Night Court, 1984

In 1984, Shelley joined the cast of the nighttime sitcom Night Court for its second season (replacing Paula Kelly). She was cast to play public defender Christine Sullivan and the character was going to be romantically involved with Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson). "I'll be doing my research at the New York court," Shelley said, "I always look forward to researching a role. It will be interesting." Publicity photos were taken, and the announcement was made. Shelley's first episode "Daddy for the Defense" was going to be the season opener.

Shelley with Harry Anderson

in a publicity pic for Night Court, 1984

But when the series started shooting, producer Reinhold Weege decided she wasn't right for the part. "I liked the show. They offered me the role. I went and met with them and liked them," Shelley said. "But what happened was the role was changed somewhere between that meeting and my first day on the set," she explained. So the actress and the producer mutually and amicably agreed to call the whole thing off. Ellen Foley was brought in for that season to replace Shelley - as a new character, public defender Billie Young. Markie Post took over the role of Miss Sullivan for the "Daddy for the Defense" episode, which was switched from the opener to the 2nd episode. A year later, Markie Post became a permanent part of the cast.

Romantic Tent Styles

closeup of Shelley from a spread

for Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog

Shelley did a lot of catalog work during her tenure as a full-time Supermodel in the 1970s. She appeared in many spreads throughout the Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog. In the spread called "Romantic... Tent Styles and Tiered Effects," she wore the Tent Dress. It was a pullover-style dress with a V-neckline and a spread collar. It had a square yoke in the front and the back with cream-color ribbon trims. It had soft gathers below the 3/4 length sleeves which were elasticized at the edges. It also came with a self tie-belt. A flower comb and a set of hoop earrings accessorized her look. Sandal-style footwear and a fashionable Jute Bag finished her look. Shelley looked sophisticated and sensational.

Shelley in a spread for Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog

Fashions of the Times C

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for Fashions of the Times, Aug 1972

In 1972, Shelley appeared in a spread for Fashions of the Times, a magazine that came with The New York Times which featured the latest in city fashion. She appeared in a spread called "Wear Sportswear. Be In Step With Today." and wore several looks that were the latest in autumn 1972 daywear. The outfits she wore could be found in retail stores around New York. In one pic, she wore  a mauve suede dolman jacket over mauve and beige separates- all by Kasper for J.L. Sport. Matching hose, footwear finished her look. Shelley looked in step with the times.

Shelley with Pilar Crespi and a male model

from a spread for Fashions of the Times, Aug 1972

She's A Lesbian

Shelley in a promo pic for Me, Myself and I, 1992

Shelley starred alongside George Segal and JoBeth Williams in the 1992 comedy Me, Myself and I. She played Jennifer, a closeted lesbian who just happened to be a Hollywood superstar and was married to George Segal's character Buddy Arnett. Afraid of being outed and losing her career, she pleaded Buddy for photo ops to perpetuate her straight image, but, in reality, she was in a lesbian relationship. By 1992, Shelley had come a long way from her days as one of Charlie's Angels and had become a seasoned performer. She shines in her part here and displays her chops in comedy.

Shelley in a writeup from 1992

Get The Million Dollar Face

Shelley in a pic from Mademoiselle magazine, 1974

Shelley appeared on many magazine covers throughout her modeling career. One of them the cover of Mademoiselle magazine in January 1974. It was taken by her then boyfriend, photographer Steen Svenssen. Dubbed the Million Dollar Face, her cover look was described as positively radiant and elegant in an unselfconscious way, like the very rich. She wore makeup by Max Factor, and her hair was done by Malerie of Davian. With her shirt and sweater by Kasper for J.L. Sport, she looked sensational.

Shelley from Mademoiselle magazine, 1974

Diagnosis Murder Guesting 3

Diagnosis Murder Season 5 Part 1 DVD set,

Diagnosis Murder Season 5 DVD set, 

Diagnosis Murder The Complete Collection,

released in 2013, 2013 and 2016 respectively

Shelley guest-starred in the Dick Van Dyke TV series Diagnosis Murder in 1997. Diagnosis Murder was a TV series that aired from 1993 to 2001 and starred TV legend Dick Van Dyke. He played Dr. Mark Sloan, a former US Army doctor who served in a MASH unit and consequently became a renowned physician who consults with the local police as his son, Steve (played by Barry Van Dyke) is a homicide detective. Dr. Sloan's fellow doctors at Community General Hospital help him out as well. The series was a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman and was initially three TV movies before becoming a regular TV series.

screen captures of Shelley

from the Diagnosis Murder episode "Looks Can Kill" 1997

Shelley appeared in the season 5 episode "Looks Can Kill" playing celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Elaine Denell. Dr. Denell's clinic was a profit-driven entity that specialized in quick surgical procedures with no questions asked. When a patient of the clinic suddenly dies at Community General Hospital, Dr. Sloan takes a closer look at Dr. Denell's practice and investigates for possible malpractice. Shelley's performance in the episode was stellar. She had become well-seasoned and it showed. The part fit her perfectly and she knew how to handle her character. Plus, her rapport with Dick Van Dyke (whom she starred with in the 1983 TV movie Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer) was very evident. Jill Whelan and Anthony Michael Hall appeared in the episode as well. If you can get it, watch it!

more screen captures of Shelley

from the Diagnosis Murder episode "Looks Can Kill" 1997

Youthful Sophistication

a closeup of Shelley from a 1964 pic from Show magazine

Show magazine publisher and A&P heir Huntington Hartford discovered Shelley at a debutante ball and urged her to try modeling. He liked her look so much, he put the 17-year-old high school student on the pages of his magazine. Shelley appeared on the pages of Show in a spread called "Shelley Hack, A Show First" on their September 1964 issue. Describing her as a perfect model of youthful sophistication, the mag said she had a whimsical look about her and had a long line of fashion magazines clamoring to immortalize her look. The mag had the first published pictures of Shelley. A month later, she appeared on the November 1964 covers of both Glamour and Seventeen magazines. Twelve years later, she was a Supermodel.

Shelley from Show magazine, 1964

1987 Horror Classic

Shelley with Jill Schoelen and Terry O'Quinn

in a still from The Stepfather, 1987

Shelley appeared in the 1987 cult classic The Stepfather. She was cast right off the bat by director Joseph Ruben who had seen her not in Charlie's Angels but in the 1982 Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy. Ruben thought she was easy on the eyes and had a naturalness that was perfect for the role. Shelley Hack played Susan Maine, the woman who marries serial killer Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) and is willing look past his deeply flawed personality. Jill Schoelen played Stephanie, Susan's daughter by her first marriage, who doesn't like Jerry, finds him weird and is determined to uncover his secret. The film was released in June of 1987 and has since become a horror film classic.

a promotional ad for The Stepfather, 1987

T-Shirt Dress and Shirtdress

closeups of Shelley from a spread

for Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog

Shelley did a lot of catalog work during her tenure as a full-time Supermodel in the 1970s. She appeared in many spreads throughout the Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog. In the spread called "The T-Shirt Dresses," she wore a soft and lightweight pullover-style dress with a rounded neckline, pointed collar and cap sleeves. It came with a self-fabric belt and a covered buckle. She wore the version with the lace trim in front, around the neckline. White earrings and a white bracelet finished her look. In the spread called "Oxford Cloth Shirtdress with Convertible Sleeves," she wore the Tattersall-Checked Dress that had a front button-placket opening, pointed collar, contrasting fabric at the inner neckline and placket. The long sleeves could be rolled up and fastened with a button tab. It had several pockets and a self-belt with a tab and metal buckle. White earrings finished her look. Shelley looked summer-ready, sophisticated and sensational in both.

Shelley in a spread for Sears 1978 Spring Summer catalog

Fashions of the Times B

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for Fashions of the Times, Aug 1972

In 1972, Shelley appeared in a spread for Fashions of the Times, a magazine that came with The New York Times which featured the latest in city fashion. She appeared in a spread called "Wear Sportswear. Be In Step With Today." and wore several looks that were the latest in autumn 1972 daywear. The outfits she wore could be found in retail stores around New York. In one pic, she wore a herringbone worsted wool suit by Ralph Lauren. With it, she wore a silk shirt with an ascot also by Ralph Lauren. A silvery necklace by Cadoro and matching footwear finished her look. Shelley looked chic, smart and in step with the times.

Shelley with a male model from a spread

for Fashions of the Times, Aug 1972

Gossip Tidbit

Shelley in a paparazzi pic from 1979

Shelley joined the cast of Charlie's Angels in 1979 and was quickly thrust into the Hollywood limelight. Of course, tongues immediately began wagging about Charlie's newest Angel. She was talked about in gossip columns, tabloids and entertainment shows. She wasn't getting along with her co-Angels, she wasn't pretty enough or sexy enough, she was breaking up with her boyfriend, she was so many things... She couldn't believe the spotlight she was suddenly in. When Angels filmed in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Shelley said, "When I got off the plane, there were maybe eight million paparazzi. I looked around for Sophia Loren. It was for me. I couldn't believe it."

a tidbit about Shelley from 1979

Many magazine and tabloid reporters, as well as and paparazzi/photographers, rushed to her. Many things (true and untrue) were written about her. "Yesterday, I was a schnook, and today I can't get across the street" is how Shelley described her sudden rise to Hollywood megastardom. "It has been quite a whirl," she said. Her casting was even mentioned in the evening news - it was a huge deal. "I couldn't believe it. What was I doing in the evening news," she exclaimed at the time. "I had press people crawling in my windows," she told E! in 2002. 

 

gossip about Shelley and other stars 

from Gossip 1979