Ultimate Poncho

Shelley in a spread for McCall's Fashion Series magazine

Shawl, Ponchos, Capes for spring 1976

Shelley appeared many mags for McCall's. In the McCall's Fashion Series magazine Shawl, Ponchos, Capes for spring 1976, she modeled the ultimate Poncho. It had knitted cable and crocheted popcorn panels in the front and back. It had big squares on two sides with cable centers and deep crocheted borders. It had crocheted edging and a fringe trim bottom. She wore it over a shirt by Lady Manhattan and pants by Time And Place. Shelley looked sensational.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Beauty Handbook 1979

Shelley with Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith 

in Beauty Handbook circa October 1979

Shelley joined the cast of the hit TV series Charlie's Angels in 1979. It was about three gorgeous and glamorous female detectives working for a man they never saw face-to-face, a man named Charles "Charlie" Townsend, a millionaire recluse. And, of course, the Angels in the show were always donned the latest fashion and beauty trends. In fact, their beauty secrets were of keen interest to so many that Beauty Handbook shared them to its readers, their hair and makeup secrets that is.

Shelley with Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith

in Beauty Handbook circa December 1979

Dusty Cranberry and Gray

Shelley in a spread for Sears Wish Book For The 1975 Christmas Season

Shelley appeared in many catalogs for Sears in the 1970s. In 1975, she appeared in the Sears Wish Book For The 1975 Christmas Season catalog. In the spread called "Coordinates Featuring Dusty Cranberry and Gray," she modeled pieces in that color scheme.

closeups of Shelley from the spread

She wore a dusty cranberry and gray on cream floral and polka dot pattern print blouse over a pair of plaid pants in he same color scheme. Over that she wore a smock jacket in dusty cranberry. Cram colored open-toes footwear finished her look. And Shelley looked sensational.

another closeup of Shelley from the spread

She also wore a ruffle-trimmed cream-colored blouse. It had a front-button closing, long sleeves, self-ruffled edges on a round collar and button cuffs. It could be worn with any of the other fashion pieces featured in the spread. And, of course, Shelley looked super in it.

Charlie 1981

a closeup of Shelley from a 1981 Charlie perfume ad

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl. She was the embodiment of the ideal woman portrayed in the perfume commercials - gorgeous, sexy and independent. Revlon Charlie was one of the first lifestyle brands that promoted the independent women. The ad campaign Shelley was involved in idealized the woman who was free to walk out, make her own choices and be happy about them. It inspired women to wear the pants in her own life.

Shelley in a 1981 Charlie perfume ad

Tiffany Welles

Shelley with Charlie's Angels co-stars Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd

Shelley joined the cast of Charlie's Angels in 1979. She was cast as Tiffany Welles, the daughter of Charles Townsend's good friend, a police chief in Boston, and a Latin teacher. Tiff graduated from the Boston Police Academy with top marks and worked at the Boston Police Department before joining the Townsend Agency. She  took over from Kate Jackson's Sabrina Duncan at the agency as Charlie's Angel no. 5.

Knitting Book, 1971 C

a closeup of Shelley from a spread on Woman's Day Knitting Book, 1971

Shelley appeared in many knitting books and magazine when she was an in-demand model in the '60s and '70s. In 1971, she appeared in the magazine Woman's Day Knitting Book. In one spread, she modeled a mesh crochet top and shorts ensemble that was great to wear over body stockings for ballet or any kind of dance. Add a pair of sunglasses and flats and any girl was ready to go from dance class to anywhere.

Shelley in a spread for Woman's Day Knitting Book, 1971

Coveted Role

Shelley with Robert De Niro in The King of Comedy

inset, Sandra Bernhard and Robert De Niro

Shelley landed a coveted role in the early 1980s - that of Cathy Long in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy which had Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis as lead stars. She was to play the Jerry Lewis' character's talent coordinator. Shelley was excited about the part she landed. "I couldn't work because I read for The King of Comedy and got the part," she said, "The picture was delayed and I couldn't take a chance of doing anything else." And her gamble payed off. Not only did she receive glowing reviews for her performance, the film - although not a hit when it was released - has slowly gained a following and is now considered one of Scorsese's finest work.

Shelley as Cathy Long in The King of Comedy, 1983