Shelley Fabares Voiced One Of Superman's Most Important DC Comics Characters

In the wake of Shelley Fabares' death, it's worth remembering that her final acting role was as Martha Kent, Superman's adoptive mother. A singer and Emmy-nominated TV actress known for her roles in classics like "The Donna Reed Show" and the football sitcom "Coach," Fabares died on August 22 at age 82. 

In 1996, one year before "Coach" concluded, Fabares made her DC debut as the voice of Martha Kent in "Superman: The Animated Series." As the Earth-born adoptive mother of Clark Kent, aka Superman, Martha has been a part of Superman lore in DC Comics since 1939, when the character first appeared unnamed. She was later called Mary Kent before the Martha name became established. Martha and her husband Jonathan Kent are frequently referred to as Ma and Pa, and their close relationship with their adopted son has long brought a heartwarming element to Superman stories. Fabares wasn't the first actress to voice or portray Martha on-screen, but her performance in "Superman: The Animated Series" has resurfaced as DC fans honor the star following her passing.

Fabares voiced Martha in 10 episodes of "Superman: The Animated Series" throughout the show's three seasons from 1996 to 2000. Although Fabares is best remembered for her sitcom work, her turn as a memorable DC Comics character still stands out in her filmography. 

Although Shelley Fabares took part in "Superman: The Animated Series" during the final decade of her acting career, she reprised the role of Martha Kent twice more before stepping away from acting. Fabares first returned as the character in the Christmas episode of the "Justice League" animated show in 2003, voicing Martha in Season 2's "Comfort and Joy." Later, Fabares' last acting credit came in the 2006 direct-to-video film "Superman: Brainiac Attacks," which included Martha and Jonathan Kent in supporting roles. 

Interestingly, Fabares voiced Martha alongside her real-life husband Mike Farrell — who voiced Jonathan in every DC animated project in which she played Martha. The two had known each other since 1970 and married in 1984 — over a decade before they began their animated portrayals of DC's famous married couple. "We will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage, and beautiful spirit," Farrell and Fabares' family shared on Instagram after the actress' death. "We will miss her deeply — not only as a celebrated performer, but as the loving and extraordinary person she was in our everyday lives."