Shelley Duvall, renowned for her captivating roles in “The Shining” and “Nashville,” passed away at 75 due to complications from diabetes. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed her death on Thursday in Blanco, Texas.
“Last night, my dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us,” Gilroy shared in a heartfelt statement. “She had suffered so much lately, but now she is free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”
Shelley Duvall Early Career and Rise to Fame
Shelley Duvall acting journey began with director Robert Altman, who cast her in her first screen role in “Brewster McCloud.” This marked the start of a fruitful collaboration, leading to her appearances in Altman’s “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” and “Thieves Like Us.” Her breakthrough came in 1975 with her role in the ensemble cast of “Nashville,” which brought her significant attention.
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Award-Winning Performances
In 1977, Shelley Duvall unique screen presence shone in “3 Women,” earning her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA nomination. That same year, she played a Rolling Stone journalist in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” where she met and dated musician Paul Simon for two years.
Iconic Roles in ‘The Shining’ and ‘Popeye’
Shelley Duvall portrayal of Olive Oyl in Altman’s “Popeye” in 1980 seemed destined, given her distinctive features. However, it was her role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” that cemented her legacy. Kubrick’s notoriously demanding directing style pushed Duvall to her limits, with some scenes requiring over 100 takes.
Reflecting on the grueling shoot, Duvall told the Hollywood Reporter, “After a while, your body rebels. It says: ‘Stop doing this to me. I don’t want to cry every day.’ The mere thought of enduring another day of constant crying would sometimes bring me to tears. Despite the struggle, I persevered, although even Jack Nicholson wondered how I managed.”
Other Notable Works
Beyond “The Shining,” Shelley Duvall starred in Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits” and the comedy “Roxanne” with Steve Martin. Throughout the 1980s, she produced children’s anthology shows such as “Faerie Tale Theatre,” “Tall Tales & Legends,” “Nightmare Classics,” and “Bedtime Stories,” featuring prominent directors and guest stars like Robin Williams, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Laura Dern.
Later Life and Legacy
Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, Duvall’s chance meeting with Altman at a party in Texas led to her breakthrough role. After returning to Texas, she appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s “The Underneath” in 1995 and Jane Campion’s “The Portrait of a Lady” in 1996. She retired from acting in 2002 but lived a reclusive life thereafter.
In 2016, her appearance on “Dr. Phil” brought negative publicity for its portrayal of her mental health struggles.
