Shelley Duvall, known for her roles in ‘The Shining’ and as a frequent collaborator with director Robert Altman, has died at age 75. She passed away due to complications from diabetes on Thursday in Blanco, Texas. Her spokesperson, Gary Springer, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
Duvall’s life partner since 1989, Dan Gilroy, expressed his sorrow over her passing. “My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley,” Gilroy said.
Born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, Duvall was discovered by Altman’s crew while in Houston. Her acting debut was in “Brewster McCloud” (1970). She starred in several of Altman’s films including “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971) and “3 Women” (1977), for which she won critical acclaim.
Duvall described her collaborations with Altman warmly: “He offers me damn good roles. None of them have been alike. He has a great confidence in me, and a trust and respect for me.”
Her iconic role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’ was both demanding and emotionally taxing. Duvall famously said about the experience, “I will never give that much again. If you want to get into pain and call it art, go ahead, but not with me.”
Aside from acting, Duvall founded Think Entertainment in 1987 which focused on family-oriented shows like ‘Faerie Tale Theatre’. This venture showcased her entrepreneurial spirit along with a flair for creative storytelling.
Later years saw her struggling publicly with mental health issues; a point highlighted when she appeared on the Dr. Phil show in November 2016 admitting “I am very sick. I need help.” Her openness brought attention to mental health conversations across the industry.
Shelley Duvall leaves behind a legacy of diverse and powerful performances complemented by her ventures into production which broadened the scope of children’s entertainment television during the early 90s.
