In 1980, after a year in the hit TV series Charlie's Angels, Shelley was ready to move on and was determined to make the most of the opportunities that fell on her lap as a result of her instant Angels superstardom. She first tackled stage (via the plays Vanities and Close Ties) and won critical praise for her efforts. Then she got the part of a lifetime... a supporting role in a Martin Scorsese film (The King of Comedy) opposite Robert De Niro. Four months after auditioning for the part, her agent called and told her she got the part. The movie was going to be shot on location in New York and New Jersey; but then production was delayed. Shelley said, "I couldn't work because I read for The King of Comedy, and got the part. The picture was delayed and I couldn't take a chance on doing anything else." So in 1981, Shelley was frequently spotted by the paparazzi in the East Coast, in New York City. In October of 1981, Shelley was spotted with constant companion, Bruce Nivens, at Jack Martin's Restaurant at the private party for the Yankees. In December of the same year, She was again spotted with Bruce Nivens attending a Broadway show in NYC.
