Shelley Duvall, the actress celebrated for her iconic roles in “Nashville” and “The Shining,” passed away on Thursday, just four days after her 75th birthday. Her partner since 1989, Dan Gilroy, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas, due to complications from diabetes.
“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley,” Gilroy expressed in a heartfelt statement.
Duvall’s journey into acting began serendipitously when she was discovered by director Robert Altman, who cast her in the 1970 black comedy film “Brewster McCloud.” Despite initial hesitations about pursuing an acting career, Duvall flourished under Altman’s direction. She appeared in “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” in 1971 and starred in “Thieves Like Us” three years later.
Her breakthrough role came with Altman’s cult classic “Nashville,” released in 1975. This performance catapulted her into the limelight, earning her critical acclaim. Duvall’s portrayal in the 1977 film “3 Women,” also directed by Altman, won her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a British Academy Film Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
In 1980, Duvall starred in two of her most famous films: “Popeye” and “The Shining.” In the latter, directed by Stanley Kubrick, she played Wendy Torrance, the tormented wife of Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance. The role was grueling, with Duvall revealing in a 1981 interview with People that Kubrick’s demanding direction had her “crying 12 hours a day for weeks on end.”
Despite the challenges, Duvall continued to make film and TV appearances throughout the ’80s and ’90s. However, in 2002, she took a hiatus from acting and public life. Her reclusive nature was highlighted in 2016 when she made a polarizing appearance on “Dr. Phil,” where she was visibly struggling with her mental health. The episode drew criticism, with many accusing host Phil McGraw of exploiting her vulnerability.
In a rare interview last year, Duvall revealed to People that she had relocated to Texas in 2002 after her brother was diagnosed with spinal cancer. After a 20-year hiatus, she announced in October 2022 that she would be returning to the big screen in “The Forest Hills,” an independent horror-thriller film directed and written by Scott Goldberg.
Duvall is survived by her brothers, Scott, Stewart, and Shane. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned several decades and left an indelible mark on the film industry.
Duvall’s career began with her association with Robert Altman, who cast her in “Brewster McCloud.” The pair reunited for “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” in 1971. After her performance in “Thieves Like Us,” Altman praised her, saying, “I knew you were good, but I didn’t know you were great.” This encouragement solidified her decision to pursue acting.
Altman continued to cast Duvall in his films, recognizing her unique talent. In “Nashville,” she played a role that satirized US society, politics, and country music. Her performance in “3 Women” as a talkative, trend-following health spa attendant was hailed as one of the greatest performances of the 1970s by The Guardian’s Anne Billson.
In 1977, Duvall also appeared in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” playing Pam, a Rolling Stone reporter who goes on a date with Allen’s character, Alvy. However, her most memorable role was as Wendy Torrance in “The Shining.” The filming process was notoriously difficult, with Duvall recalling the emotional toll it took on her.
Following “The Shining,” Duvall’s film roles included appearances in Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits” and “Roxanne” with Steve Martin. She also ventured into production, creating and hosting the beloved 1980s children’s TV show “Faerie Tale Theatre.”
In the 1990s, her acting roles diminished, with Jane Campion’s “The Portrait of a Lady” being a notable exception. Duvall’s apparent disappearance from the screen was attributed to the impact of a 1994 earthquake that damaged her Los Angeles home and the stress of her brother’s cancer diagnosis.
In a 2023 interview with The New York Times, Duvall discussed her prolonged absence from the film industry, attributing it to the fickle nature of Hollywood. “I was a star. I had leading roles. People think it’s just ageing, but it’s not. It’s violence,” she said. She described the emotional toll of being suddenly shunned by the industry, saying, “How would you feel if people were really nice, and then, suddenly, on a dime they turn on you?”
Concerns about her health were raised during her 2016 appearance on “Dr. Phil,” where she spoke about her struggles and delusions. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, described her as “paranoid and just kind of delusional” during that period.
Despite these challenges, Duvall’s return to the screen in “The Forest Hills” was met with enthusiasm. Novelist Nicole Flattery wrote in the Financial Times that her return showed her magic had remained intact, dubbing her the “ultimate film star.”
Shelley Duvall’s legacy is one of resilience and remarkable talent. Her performances in films like “Nashville” and “The Shining” continue to captivate audiences, and her unique presence in the film industry will be remembered for years to come.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, People, The New York Times, Financial Times
