logo
Home
Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell | Source: Getty Images
Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell | Source: Getty Images

'M*A*S*H' Star Mike Farrell & Shelley Fabares Spotted on Rare Outing, Igniting Buzz

Mariia Bilska
Jul 28, 2025 - 10:57 A.M.

The two beloved names in Hollywood briefly stepped out in California, prompting messages from netizens who remember them from the golden age of television.

Advertisement

Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares were seen during a rare and affectionate outing in a sun-drenched Burbank park on July 18, 2025. The longtime couple sparked admiration from fans and rekindled interest in their decades-long love story.

A netizen's comment about Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell's outing, dated on July 28, 2025 | Source: Facebook/Daily Mail Did That Just Happen?

A netizen's comment about Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell's outing, dated on July 28, 2025 | Source: Facebook/Daily Mail Did That Just Happen?

The 86-year-old, best known for playing B.J. Hunnicutt in "M*A*S*H," and the 81-year-old "Coach" actress held hands as they passed through a small group of people, waved to everyone, and crossed the street.

They were both dressed casually, with Mike wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black baseball cap featuring a printed political message. Meanwhile, Shelley rocked soft pink hair and a T-shirt featuring David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust.

Advertisement
Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Netizens couldn't help but gush as photos of them circulated online. One commenter wrote, "Still a beautiful couple!" while another observed, "He still looks like Mike Farrell to me." One fan commented, "I think he looks great!" and someone else declared, "Mike Farrell.. great actor."

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

One netizen stated simply, "We all get old." But a more critical remark also surfaced, with one person adding, "It looks like the guy from MASH [sic], but I bet you will be unrecognizable when you get old. If you live that long."

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

A particularly heartfelt comment read, "Nice faces...yes that's getting older No-one gets away with it Happy..days...you both looking relaxed and happy in your own skin That's what we used to call normal [sic]."

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Some took a more introspective tone, like the person who shared, "I adored both of these people. No idea what side they roll on, or beliefs, just liked them. She was adorable. And he was as well. Aging is not for the faint of heart 💔."

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell out and about on July 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

And the couple has certainly aged together. They met in 1970 when Shelley appeared in one episode of "The Interns," starring Mike. However, they would not get together until 12 years later, when they reconnected at a CBS affiliates convention.

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell during the "Dominick and Eugene" New York City premiere on March 14, 1988, in New York City, New York | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell during the "Dominick and Eugene" New York City premiere on March 14, 1988, in New York City, New York | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

By then, they were both divorced. The actor had ended his 17-year marriage to Judy Farrell, a process he detailed in his memoir, "Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist."

Mike Farrell during the paperback release signing of "Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist" at Book Soup on May 5, 2008, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Mike Farrell during the paperback release signing of "Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist" at Book Soup on May 5, 2008, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

He and Judy, best known for playing Nurse Able on "M*A*S*H," had tried to make things work for their two children, Erin and Michael Farrell, to no avail. The actor revealed that telling his kids about the divorce was the "hardest part" of the separation.

Mike Farrell and Judy Farrell during the 20th Century-Fox Luncheon for then-Prince Charles on October 28, 1977, in Century City, California | Source: Getty Images

Mike Farrell and Judy Farrell during the 20th Century-Fox Luncheon for then-Prince Charles on October 28, 1977, in Century City, California | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

"The whole process was a wrenching, deeply painful ordeal for all involved, but Judy and I were able to work out a cooperative arrangement," Mike wrote.

He also described buying a house nearby and how they tried to keep things as normal as possible for the children while he and Judy dealt with the pain of ending a long-standing relationship.

Mike Farrell and his son Michael Farrell during the "Bob Roberts" premiere at Writers Guild Theater on September 1, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Mike Farrell and his son Michael Farrell during the "Bob Roberts" premiere at Writers Guild Theater on September 1, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Shelley had separated from Lou Adler, the famed record producer. Following the convention, she and Mike went for coffee and an exhibit of pictures and videos showing his travels through Central America.

Approximately a year later, the actor proposed, and she said yes. They got married a year after "M*A*S*H" ended, at the home of Fabares's aunt, actress Nanette Fabray.

Advertisement
Nanette Fabray during a portrait session while playing with her dog at home circa 1959 | Source: Getty Images

Nanette Fabray during a portrait session while playing with her dog at home circa 1959 | Source: Getty Images

Then came the process of settling into the family. According to his memoir, Mike's kids liked Shelley, but this new marriage was still tough for them. However, Judy was also with someone else by then, and everyone tried their best to help Erin and Michael adjust.

Shelley Fabares, Mike Farrell, and Erin Farrell during the "ABC Fall Premiere Party" on September 12, 1990, at UCLA in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares, Mike Farrell, and Erin Farrell during the "ABC Fall Premiere Party" on September 12, 1990, at UCLA in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

At one point, Mike Farrell recalled how his son thought Shelley was too strict about household chores, but they worked through it and even had family therapy sessions, which included Judy and her new husband, Joe Bratcher.

Shelley Fabares, Mike, Michael, and Erin Farrell during the "JFK" world premiere on December 17, 1991, at Mann's Village Theater in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images

Shelley Fabares, Mike, Michael, and Erin Farrell during the "JFK" world premiere on December 17, 1991, at Mann's Village Theater in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images

The actor added, "Given the histories involved, it was quite a strain at first, but our mutual commitment to the kids' welfare got us over the bumps and helped us work our way, over time, into what has become a close, mutually supportive and loving extended family."

Advertisement