Shelley Duvall, Star of ‘The Shining’ and ‘3 Women’, Dies at 75

Shelley Duvall, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in films such as “The Shining,” “Annie Hall,” and “Nashville,” passed away at the age of 75. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, expressing heartfelt sorrow: “My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”

Duvall died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Texas due to complications from diabetes, Gilroy stated.

Duvall’s illustrious career spanned several decades and included a remarkable array of performances. She won the Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actress award for her role in the 1977 drama “3 Women,” directed by Robert Altman, and was also nominated for a BAFTA. In 1980, she delivered her most iconic performance as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece “The Shining,” where she starred opposite Jack Nicholson. The role was demanding, with Duvall recalling, “I had to cry 12 hours a day, all day long, the last nine months straight, five or six days a week.”

Born in Houston, Texas, in 1949, Duvall began her film career in 1970 with Altman’s dark comedy “Brewster McCloud.” She quickly became one of Altman’s favorite collaborators, appearing in “McCabe and Mrs. Miller” (1971), “Thieves Like Us” (1974), and “Nashville” (1975). Altman praised her versatility, saying she could swing “all sides of the pendulum: charming, silly, sophisticated, pathetic, even beautiful.”

Duvall’s role in “3 Women” as a talkative, trend-following health spa attendant was hailed by critics, with The Guardian’s Anne Billson ranking it as her best performance. Other notable films included Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits” and the comedy “Roxanne” with Steve Martin.

Despite her success, Duvall faced significant challenges. After a series of setbacks in the mid-1990s, including an earthquake that damaged her Los Angeles home and her brother’s battle with cancer, Duvall withdrew from the public eye. She later spoke about the fickleness of the film industry, telling The New York Times, “I was a star. I had leading roles. People think it’s just aging, but it’s not. It’s violence.”

Concerns about Duvall’s health emerged in 2016 when she appeared on “Dr. Phil,” discussing her struggles with mental health. Her partner, Gilroy, mentioned that she had become “paranoid and just kind of delusional” during that period.

In 2023, Duvall made a comeback with the film “The Forest Hills.” Reflecting on her return to acting, she said, “I wanted to act again. And then this guy kept calling, and so I wound up doing it.”

Shelley Duvall leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a unique, offbeat charisma that made her a distinctive presence in Hollywood. She will be deeply missed by her fans and all who knew her.