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Shelley Duvall, the iconic actress renowned for her roles in “The Shining” and “Popeye,” has passed away at the age of 75. Duvall died in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas, due to complications from diabetes, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Duvall was discovered by director Robert Altman at a party and soon found herself in Hollywood. She starred in a string of Altman films, including “Brewster McCloud,” “Nashville,” and “3 Women,” the latter earning her the Best Actress award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.
In 1980, Duvall took on two of her most memorable roles. She starred as Olive Oyl in Altman’s “Popeye” opposite Robin Williams and delivered a haunting performance as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Her portrayal of Wendy, a woman tormented by her husband’s descent into madness, remains one of horror cinema’s most compelling performances. The intense filming process, which involved numerous takes and emotionally grueling scenes, left a lasting impact on Duvall, as she revealed in later interviews .
Duvall’s career spanned several decades, with notable performances in “Time Bandits,” “Frankenweenie,” and “Roxanne.” She also ventured into producing, notably creating and hosting the children’s series “Faerie Tale Theatre,” which earned her a Peabody Award in 1984. Her contributions to film were recognized with the Texas Film Hall of Fame Award in 2020.
In the 1990s, Duvall began to withdraw from the spotlight, eventually retiring from acting in 2002. Her reclusive lifestyle sparked much speculation about her mental health, which was further scrutinized following a controversial 2016 appearance on “Dr. Phil.” Duvall later expressed regret about participating in the interview, which was criticized for its exploitative nature.
Despite her retreat from Hollywood, Duvall made a brief return to acting in 2023 with a role in the indie horror film “The Forest Hills.” Reflecting on her career and struggles, Duvall remained a beloved figure, celebrated for her unique presence and contributions to film.
Duvall is survived by her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, who poignantly remarked, “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley.”
Her passing marks the end of an era for those who cherished her distinctive performances and contributions to the arts.
