Shirley L.[1] Partridge (formerly Shirley Renfrew, prior to marriage) is a main character from The Partridge Family. She is the mother of Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris and Tracy. Her husband died suddenly a few months before she and her children started performing. Shirley's parents are Fred and Amanda Renfrew.
Background[]
Shirley spent her teen years in or near San Pueblo.[2] When she was in high school, she tried out for head cheerleader, but lost to a prettier girl who could kick higher.[3] She was in a school play with Chuck Corwin. Shirley has been to college.[4] Shirley's husband died six months before the start of the series. She's been working as a bank teller since then. She has never sung in front of an audience before and considers herself tone deaf. Before she joins the band, she plugs her ears whenever her kids play music.[5]
On the series[]
After Gloria Steineman, the Partridge Family's previous singer, comes down with the mumps, Shirley's kids talk her into joining their garage band. Shirley does despite her lack of confidence in her singing voice and her nervousness about singing in front of an audience. Within four months, the band gets to perform at Caesar's Palace.
During the first season, the family goes on tour to places including Hawaii,[6] Paris,[7] and Canada.[8]
In the second season, Shirley returns to college to take a psychology class, using her maiden name so as not to attract attention.[9]
Personality[]
Shirley is a smart, caring, charismatic, talented and independent mother.
Looks[]
Shirley is medium height, very fit (considering she had five kids), has pale/ peachy skin, short blonde hair and has hazel eyes. She is often wearing nice shirts and slacks.
House[]
In an early episode the Partridges are shown to live in the same area as the houses in 'I dream of Jeanie' and 'Bewitched'. In Bewitched it is stated several times that the Stephens live at '1164 Morning Glory Circle' which leads people to the conclusion that the Partridges live in Morning Glory Circle.
Quotes[]
- “I keep seeing the headline in "Variety" - "Partridges Lay an Egg."[10]
Trivia[]
- Shirley is portrayed by Shirley Jones.
- Shirley Jones' real life step son is, in fact, David Cassidy, who plays Keith Partridge.
- Shirley has five children.
- Shirley's maiden name is Renfrew.
- Shirley has an Azalea garden.[11]
- Shirley attends church with her family,[12] but doesn't usually say grace before meals.[13]
- Shirley is one of two main Partridge Family characters to have the same (first) name in the show and real life the other being Danny Partridge aka Danny Bonaduce.
- Her license plate number is 015.[14]
- Yellow roses are her favorite flower.[15]
- ↑ See Here, Private Partridge!
- ↑ According to ...---... (S.O.S.), Shirley went to Muldoon's Point when she was a teenager.
- ↑ The Selling of the Partridge
- ↑ The Undergraduate
- ↑ What? And Get Out of Show Business?
- ↑ Did You Hear the One About Danny Partridge?
- ↑ Mom Drops Out
- ↑ A Partridge by Any Other Name
- ↑ The Undergraduate
- ↑ What? And Get Out of Show Business?
- ↑ Love at First Slight
- ↑ The Red Woodloe Story
- ↑ Ain't Loveth Grand
- ↑ Fellini, Bergman, and Partridge
- ↑ The Diplomat