Shelley Duvall, Star of 'The Shining' and Altman Films, Dies at 75

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Shelley Duvall

Blanco, Texas, — Shelley Duvall, the distinctive, saucer-eyed actress best known for her roles in Stanley Kubrick’s "The Shining" and several films directed by Robert Altman, passed away on Thursday at the age of 75. Duvall died peacefully in her sleep due to complications from diabetes, as confirmed by her spokesperson, Gary Springer, to The Hollywood Reporter.

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley,” said Dan Gilroy, her partner since 1989.

Duvall's career spanned decades, but she retreated from the spotlight in the mid-1990s, moving back to her native Texas. In November 2016, she made a rare public appearance on "Dr. Phil," where she disclosed her struggle with mental illness, saying, “I am very sick. I need help.” Four years later, The Hollywood Reporter’s Seth Abramovitch visited her, resulting in a memorable story about her life.

Discovered by Altman’s staff while attending junior college in Houston, Duvall was cast in her first film role as Suzanne Davis in "Brewster McCloud" (1970). Her collaborations with Altman continued with memorable performances in "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971), "Thieves Like Us" (1974), "Nashville" (1975), "Buffalo Bill and the Indians" (1976), and "3 Women" (1977), for which she won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 1980, Duvall starred opposite Jack Nicholson in Kubrick’s horror classic "The Shining." Her portrayal of Wendy Torrance, the beleaguered wife of Nicholson's character, involved grueling filming conditions, which she later described as emotionally and physically taxing. Kubrick's demanding direction required her to perform the iconic baseball bat scene 127 times.

Duvall's versatility extended beyond her work with Altman and Kubrick. She appeared in Woody Allen’s "Annie Hall" (1977), Terry Gilliam’s "Time Bandits" (1981), and Steve Martin’s "Roxanne" (1987). She also founded her production company, Think Entertainment, producing innovative children’s programming like "Faerie Tale Theatre" and "Tall Tales & Legends," which earned her two Emmy nominations.

Born Shelley Alexis Duvall on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, she was the eldest of four children. Her family moved to Houston when she was five. Initially aspiring to be a research scientist, Duvall’s path changed dramatically after meeting Altman’s crew. 

Her personal life saw relationships with artist Bernard Sampson, musician Paul Simon, and actor Stan Wilson before she settled with Gilroy. She lived quietly in Blanco, Texas, away from the public eye until she returned to acting in 2022 with a role in "The Forest Hills."

Shelley Duvall leaves behind a legacy of unique and compelling performances that continue to captivate audiences. She is survived by her brothers, Scott, Stewart, and Shane.