Shelley Duvall, the wide-eyed, ethereal actress renowned for her captivating roles in Robert Altman's "3 Women" and Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," passed away at 75 due to complications from diabetes. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed the news on Thursday in Blanco, Texas. "My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us last night. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley,” Gilroy expressed in a heartfelt statement.
Duvall's career was notably intertwined with director Robert Altman, who gave her first screen role in "Brewster McCloud." She then featured in his films "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" and "Thieves Like Us" before making a significant impact in the ensemble cast of "Nashville" in 1975. Following her success in "Nashville," Altman cast her in "Buffalo Bill and the Indians" and later in "3 Women," where her distinctive screen presence earned her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA nomination.
In 1977, Duvall appeared in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" as a Rolling Stone journalist and met musician Paul Simon on set, leading to a two-year relationship. She continued to display her unique talents as Olive Oyl in Altman's "Popeye" in 1980, a role that seemed tailor-made for her expressive features.
Her haunting portrayal of a health spa worker in "3 Women" caught the attention of Stanley Kubrick, who cast her as Wendy Torrance in "The Shining," alongside Jack Nicholson. Kubrick's famously exacting directing style demanded more than a year of shooting, pushing Duvall to her limits. Notably, the film's baseball bat scene set a Guinness World Record for the most takes of a scene with dialogue, exemplifying the intense demands placed on her performance.
In the 1980s, Duvall shifted her focus to producing children's anthology series such as "Faerie Tale Theatre," "Tall Tales & Legends," "Nightmare Classics," and "Bedtime Stories." These shows featured esteemed directors like Tim Burton and Francis Ford Coppola and attracted stars such as Robin Williams, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Laura Dern.
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After a lengthy hiatus, Duvall returned to the screen in 2023 with the indie horror film "The Forest Hills." Though not widely available, this marked a notable comeback for the actress.
Shelley Duvall leaves behind her partner, Dan Gilroy, and her brothers, Scott, Stewart, and Shane, her legacy enduring through her memorable and diverse body of work.
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