#26. Shelley Long

The Ultimate 50

26. Shelley Long

2016 Update

Shelley revealed on Facebook in early 2015 she's moved to Chicago - and her latest picture shows a pinned style with long bangs. But Long still takes trips to Hollywood for TV and movie roles. She returned to Modern Family for a 2016 episode. And that reminded us of that episode referenced below from 2009, the first season of that series - a moment fans of the series probably can't forget...

It's the episode where Long's character (with a slimmed-down version of her classic Cheers hairstyle) gets into a wrestling match with Sofia Vergara! Long gets the upper hand early, but her hair is shaken a couple of times. Eventually they both tumble over a sofa. Can either well-admired head of hair survive this?

Other "family" members intervene to break things up - but Long shakes her head violently. And pausing the clip brings these stunning vid-caps. Long's cut bounces into her face for a couple of seconds.

Long is helped back to her feet, with the hair relatively back in place. But YouTube video posted by ABC in 2015 lets us capture the moment - the moment of Long's style defeat. Vergara didn't outfight it; Long really did it to herself. But if that's what it takes for Super-Hair to collapse, she certainly has it - and she's displayed it throughout her career.

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2014 Update

You have to search diligently these days to find Shelley in movies or on TV. She still appears occasionally, but in supporting roles which don't get her put on promotional reels. Yet a fan thought enough of Shelley to do a short "YouTube selfie" at a Virginia movie set in 2012 -- with Shelley's hair pinned, but still showing enough bangs to keep Hair Fans interested. That film The Wedding Chapel may not have been distributed outside Canada.

2014 marks 25 years since Long starred in Troop Beverly Hills, and that brought special celebrations online. One website focused on more than 30 outfits she wore. Her hair seemed mostly unchanged throughout -- yet she put it to a dancing test in one scene. Does this photo show the hair dropping in Long's eye? We're not sure; we'd welcome your input about it. Otherwise, she remains unbeaten in our view past age 65.

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2012 Update

Shelley remains an occasional guest star on Modern Family -- and while she's only appeared in two episodes, ABC has created a photo gallery for her character. This close-up view shows the classic "Long bangs" long enough to touch her eyelashes. But the fringe doesn't start getting longer until about three inches off her eyes, allowing the look some room to manuever.

We're also happy to see Shelley ls making movies again, primarily for the Hallmark Channel. But a collection of pictures from the late-2011 romantic comedy Holiday Engagement was awfully dramatic for Hair Fans. She shows a cut barely reaching the shoulders....

....and this vidcap from the trailer shows hair at the very brink of her left eye! Part of us wants to say this is a wig, based on preview photos for the August 2012 film Strawberry Summer. But if you saw this movie, please let us know -- did the "Long run" of undefeated Super-Hair finally end?

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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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