Acclaimed actress Shelley Duvall, celebrated for her roles in “The Shining,” “Annie Hall,” and “Nashville,” has passed away at 75. Her partner of more than 30 years, Dan Gilroy, confirmed the news to the Hollywood Reporter. Gilroy noted that Duvall’s health had been deteriorating in recent times. Her death was due to complications related to diabetes.
Born Shelley Alexis Duvall on July 7, 1949, in Houston, Texas, she started her career in the early 1970s after being discovered by director Robert Altman. Her first significant role was in Altman’s 1970 film “Brewster McCloud.” This marked the onset of a successful partnership with Altman, who cast Duvall in several of his films, including “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” “Thieves Like Us,” and “Nashville.” Her performance in Altman’s 1977 film “3 Women” led to her winning the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival and a BAFTA nomination.
One of Duvall’s most notable portrayals was Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror film “The Shining.” Duvall once mentioned that the rigorous filming required her to cry for 12 hours a day, five or six days a week, for nine consecutive months.
In the same year, Duvall played Olive Oyl, starring alongside Robin Williams in Altman’s version of “Popeye.” Her large brown eyes and unconventional charisma made her a standout in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Duvall continued to take on varied roles. She featured in Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits,” played a significant role in the 1987 romantic comedy “Roxanne” with Steve Martin, and ventured into production. She created and hosted the children’s TV show “Faerie Tale Theatre,” which was a hit during its run.
However, by the mid-1990s, Duvall’s acting roles began to decline. Her last notable role was in Jane Campion’s “The Portrait of a Lady” in 1996. After a minor role in “Manna from Heaven” in 2002, Duvall retired from acting and mostly stayed out of the public eye. The New York Times reported in a 2024 article that her withdrawal was due to the stress from a 1994 earthquake that damaged her Los Angeles, California home and her brother’s illness.
Concerns about Duvall’s mental health came to light in 2016 when she appeared on the TV talk show “Dr. Phil.” During the interview, Duvall revealed her struggles, stating, “I’m very sick. I need help.” Her partner, Dan Gilroy, shared with the media that she had become paranoid and delusional during that time.
In 2023, Duvall made a comeback to acting, featuring in the independent horror film “The Forest Hills.” Discussing her return, Duvall said, “I wanted to act again. And then this guy kept calling, and so I wound up doing it.”
In her personal life, Duvall had relationships with artist Bernard Sampson, singer-songwriter Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, and her long-term partner, musician Dan Gilroy, whom she met on the set of the Disney Channel movie “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme” in 1989. Duvall and Gilroy lived together in Blanco, Texas for more than 30 years until her death.
Despite facing several challenges throughout her career, Duvall’s contributions to the film industry were significant. Her performances were known for their originality and emotional depth. Scott Goldberg, the director of “The Forest Hills,” described Duvall as “radiant, very kind and witty,” emphasizing her enduring appeal and talent.
Duvall will be remembered as a uniquely gifted actress who brought a distinctive presence to all her roles.