Shelley Duvall, the acclaimed actress recognized for her role in “The Shining,” has passed away at the age of 75. Duvall succumbed to complications from diabetes in her sleep at her Texas residence, as confirmed by her longtime companion, musician Dan Gilroy of the Breakfast Club.
Gilroy, 77, expressed his grief to the Hollywood Reporter, saying, “My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.” Duvall was a Texas native, and her acting career began in 1970 when she met director Robert Altman at a social gathering. Altman offered her a role in his film “Brewster McCloud,” marking her debut on the silver screen.
Duvall’s collaboration with Altman continued, and she starred in several of his films, including “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “Thieves Like Us,” “Nashville,” “Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson,” and “3 Women.” In a 1977 interview with the New York Times, Duvall spoke highly of Altman, who passed away in 2006, praising his trust, respect, and the diverse roles he offered her.
In addition to her work with Altman, Duvall also appeared in Woody Allen’s 1977 film “Annie Hall.” However, her most notable role was in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 psychological horror film “The Shining,” where she portrayed Wendy Torrance, a woman tormented by her husband Jack, played by Jack Nicholson. The role was emotionally taxing, with Duvall recalling to People in 1981 that she spent weeks “crying 12 hours a day.”
After “The Shining,” Duvall’s career continued with roles in films like “Popeye,” “Time Bandits,” “Suburban Commando,” and “The Portrait of a Lady.” She also ventured into children’s programming, earning two Emmy Award nominations for her work. Duvall retired from acting in 2002, only to return for a final role in the 2023 indie horror film “The Forest Hills.”
In 2016, Duvall publicly shared her mental health struggles on an episode of “Dr. Phil,” stating, “I’m very sick… I need help.” During the episode, she made several concerning claims, including that her “Popeye” co-star Robin Williams, who passed away in 2014, was still alive as a shapeshifter. Duvall’s partner, Gilroy, expressed his disappointment with the show, stating it did nothing to help her.
Duvall’s life was not without its romantic entanglements. She was married to artist Bernard Sampson from 1970 to 1974, and later had a two-year relationship with singer Paul Simon. She began dating Gilroy in 1989, and the couple remained together until her death. Duvall did not have any children.