Celebrity Supermodel-Turned-Actor Shelley Smith Passes Away at 70
By Patrick Reilly
August 12, 2023 | 9:45pm
Shelley Smith, known for her role alongside Martin Short in the sitcom “The Associates,” has died at the age of 70. Smith’s husband, Michael Maguire, confirmed her passing on August 8 at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital after she went into a coma caused by cardiac arrest.
In a heartfelt video posted on Facebook, Maguire expressed his grief and admiration for his late wife. “Shelley lived an incredible life! We are all heartbroken, but we are also so fortunate to have been touched by this beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, and incredible soul,” he said, holding back tears. He urged others to make every second count and fill every second with love.
Born on October 25, 1952, in Princeton, New Jersey, Smith started her career as a model in the early 1970s. She landed the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and was featured in Vogue, Mademoiselle, and Glamour magazine, according to Variety.
Smith transitioned from modeling to acting and made her small-screen debut in 1979 on the TV sitcom “The Associates” alongside Martin Short. She went on to star in NBC’s 1983 military drama “For Love and Honor” as Capt. Carolyn Engel, appearing alongside Keenen Ivory Wayans and Yaphet Kotto. Smith also made guest appearances on popular shows like “The Love Boat” and “Murder She Wrote.” In addition, she was a frequent contestant on celebrity game shows such as “Super Password,” “Body Language,” and “Dick Clark’s $10,000 Pyramid.”
Later in life, Smith became an advocate for women struggling with fertility issues. After battling her own fertility problems, she founded The Egg Donor Program in 1991 and had twins through in vitro fertilization. The company, now known as Hatch Fertility, was sold a few years ago. Smith’s husband emphasized her dedication to helping others and the impact she had on thousands of women with their pregnancies. “She loved helping people. Most of all, she helped me. She made me a much better person than I ever would have been. We had a great marriage,” Maguire said.
Smith’s passing leaves a void in the entertainment industry, but her legacy as a talented actress and advocate for women’s fertility issues will continue to inspire others.