#26. Shelley Long

The Ultimate 50

26. Shelley Long

2010 Update

Both TV comedy and Hair Fans were delighted when Shelley was given a guest appearance in the first season of Modern Family. This vid-cap from October 2009 shows her character commenting at a wedding reception. The classic well-cut hairstyle remains - shoulder-length with bangs, although the bangs look slicker and thinner compared with years ago.

A behind-the-scenes report on the episode by Entertainment Tonight gives us this close-up view of Shelley's bangs. A couple of strips actually look long enough to fall in her left eye -- but when she opened the eyes, they didn't.

This episode included one of the best TV "hair fights" in a long time, as Long attempted to choke Sofia Vergara. We think Long's hair survived the battle to remain undefeated (or did she use a stunt double?). You can see the entire episode online - but you might have to pay for the privilege.

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2008 Update

This additional picture from the 2006 TV Land Awards is, sad to say, practically the newest photo of Long available online. The hair may be a bit tighter and flatter, but has the same basic outline we've come to know so well from her.

She's reportedly been in and out of mental treatment, which is also sad to think about. But we refuse to post a link to pictures of Long at a suicide prevention web site, because her publicists insist she never attempted it. We prefer to keep positive thoughts about a style which refuses to come down, after all these years. If you see her on TV or in movies as a surprise guest, please let us know.

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2006 Update

Well, so much for The McGregors -- an NBC show which lasted about as long as The Book of Daniel. Yet Long's hair keeps lasting, when she makes guest appearances on TV or in movies. She happens to be starring in a Lifetime film called Honeymoon with Mom as we post this. While her classic bangs remain on display, it's clear she's gone short with her style.

This was also evident when Long appeared with the cast of Cheers at the March 2006 TV Land Awards. There were hints at that event about Long not being in the best of health. We hope she stays well, and she keeps great hair unpinned and on display for years to come.

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2004 Update

Talk about great timing! Wireimage posted this new picture of Shelley only days before we prepared this update. It's a rare public appearance for her, as she's settled for guest roles recently on programs such as Joan of Arcadia and 8 Simple Rules.... But that may change shortly, as NBC has picked up a show she's in called The MacGregors for the fall.

As far as we know, Long's straight style remains undefeated -- and if she can keep long hair behind the ears, it should remain that way. You can check her classic curled look, as Cheers seasons are on sale on DVD. With the right software, you also can watch movie clips on your computer from E! Online.

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2002 Update

Shelley isn't seen much in movies anymore, so her relatively rare public appearances get our attention. Our picture represents her recent style pretty well - less pouf and curl, a little longer, yet still with bangs that work so effectively on her.

If anything, her hair today is even more at risk. When she attended the 75^th anniversary party of NBC in May, a relatively light wind pushed some long strands around - and nearly down to defeat. This seems to show the importance of added curl to Long's style success.

You can find a great pictorial history of her hair, from her youth to today, at a web site called "The Shelley Long asylum." Since we don't consider her style insane, this must be a place to find refuge from the bad hair all around you.

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