In the ’80s and ’90s, Shelley Duvall was a captivating presence in Hollywood, known for her roles in iconic films like “The Shining.” However, she seemingly vanished from the public eye. The reason? Duvall chose to leave Hollywood for a quieter life in rural Texas.
Born in Texas, Duvall returned to her roots, seeking solace and anonymity. While locals are aware of her past as a celebrated actress, she has managed to live a relatively private life. Many visitors are often surprised to learn that the woman they see around town once starred in over 20 films. Duvall explained that her decision to step away from Hollywood was driven by a desire to reconnect with her family. In the late ’90s, as her acting opportunities dwindled, her brother was diagnosed with spinal cancer. This prompted her to move back to Texas to be with her family.
“It’s the longest sabbatical I ever took,” Duvall shared, “but it was for really important reasons—to get in touch with my family again.” Despite her departure from Hollywood, she never completely abandoned her love for entertainment.
Duvall also spoke about the fickle nature of Hollywood. She was taken aback when the industry, which had supported her for years, suddenly turned its back on her. This experience was a harsh wake-up call.
“I was a star; I had leading roles,” she said. “People think it’s just aging, but it’s not. It’s violence. How would you feel if people were really nice, and then, suddenly, on a dime … they turn on you? You would never believe it unless it happens to you. That’s why you get hurt, because you can’t really believe it’s true.”
Her long-term partner, Dan Gilroy, revealed that Duvall has also struggled with mental illness over the years. They moved to Texas after an earthquake destroyed their home in Los Angeles.
“It was great, all those years in L.A., really terrific. And when we moved, after the earthquake, it was terrific in Texas. Things went downhill when she started becoming afraid of things, maybe didn’t want to work. It’s really hard to pin it on any one thing,” he said.
“She became paranoid and just kind of delusional, thinking she was being attacked. She tried to make calls to the F.B.I., and asked our neighbor to protect us,” he continued. “It was just shocking that, suddenly, from normal, it went south like that.”
Shelley Duvall was a film icon in the ’70s and ’80s, starring alongside Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” with Robin Williams in “Popeye,” and in several acclaimed films by director Robert Altman, including “3 Women” and “Nashville.” Then, she disappeared from Hollywood. In a recent interview, the long-retired actress shared how she’s been living quietly in Texas and why she’s ready to step back into the spotlight with a new horror movie, “The Forest Hills.”
In a small Texas town, Duvall has become a regular at local establishments. While many locals know her, some are surprised to learn that the gray-haired woman who often breaks into song while speaking is the same actress who once dazzled audiences with her unique style in classic films. After acting in more than 20 movies and producing several TV shows, Duvall decided to retire in 2002 and settle in Central Texas.
But now, Duvall is making a return to acting in the indie horror film “The Forest Hills,” set to premiere on March 11. Director Scott Goldberg, who reached out to Duvall last year, is thrilled to have her on board. “Shelley’s a Hollywood icon. I’m happy that she has the opportunity to show that she still has the talent,” he said. Duvall added, “Acting again—it’s so much fun. It enriches your life.”
Duvall’s long absence from Hollywood led to speculation about her mental health. However, in person, she remains sharp, earthy, and a bit eccentric. Born in Fort Worth in 1949, Duvall grew up in Houston. Her life changed at 18 when she was discovered at her then-boyfriend’s art opening. She soon found herself starring in Altman’s 1970 comedy “Brewster McCloud.” It took two more films before she decided to pursue acting as a career.
Duvall became Hollywood’s unconventional It girl, known for her distinctive voice and unique look. She starred in seven Altman films, including “3 Women” and “Popeye,” where she played Olive Oyl opposite Robin Williams. Despite working with Hollywood giants, she didn’t always find the acting life easy or profitable.
In the ’90s, her movie offers began to dwindle. When her brother was diagnosed with spinal cancer, she moved back to Texas. “It’s the longest sabbatical I ever took,” she said, “but it was for really important reasons—to get in touch with my family again.”
Duvall is excited to be back in front of the camera and hopes to continue acting. “[Jessica Tandy] won an Oscar when she was 80. I can still win,” she said with a wink and a laugh. But first, she’s off to place another order. “Let’s go to Dairy Queen and get ourselves some decadent desserts.”
