Shelley in a promo pic, 1979
The mega-hit TV series Charlie's Angels, a Spelling-Goldberg production, was entering its fourth season in 1979 and was looking for a replacement for exiting cast member Kate Jackson. Shelley said, "I remember there was a big Angel hunt going on, and they asked me to audition. The hunt seemed to go on for a long time. A lot of my girlfriends went in to be tested, 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."
a short writeup about Shelley
joining the cast of Charlie's Angels, 1979
"Shelley came to the studio and everyone in wardrobe fell in love with her and I begged Aaron, please hire her," said Nolan Miller, the wardrobe designer on the series. "She's so chic and she's so great, no matter what she wears," he added, "We pleaded and begged; and Aaron finally said okay." Soon-to-be-co-Angel Jaclyn Smith was consulted on the final selection of the new Angel; and she also recommended Shelley. Jaclyn said, "I selected her because she was spunky and a perfect fill-in for Kate." In May of 1979, series executive producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg met with Shelley. Spelling told Shelley, "We'd like you to be the new Angel." "That's very nice," was her reply; and then she immediately and excitedly called her mother to tell her about the good news.
Shelley in a promo pic, 1979
