Shelley Duvall, Star of ‘The Shining,’ Dead at 75

Shelley Duvall, a distinctive presence in the history of cinema, has passed away at the age of 75. Known for her work with director Robert Altman in the 1970s and her unforgettable role in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” Duvall’s death was confirmed by her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, who told The Hollywood Reporter that she died in her sleep due to complications from diabetes at her home in Blanco, Texas.

Born in Fort Worth in 1949, Duvall’s journey into acting began serendipitously. While attending junior college, she caught the eye of Robert Altman, who was filming “Brewster McCloud” in Texas. Altman, along with his crew, encouraged her to pursue acting, leading to her involvement in the film and marking the start of her career as a key member of Altman’s repertory company throughout the 1970s.

Duvall’s collaboration with Altman included roles in “Brewster McCloud,” “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” in 1971, “Thieves Like Us” in 1974, “Buffalo Bill and the Indians” in 1976, and “3 Women” in 1977. In “3 Women,” she played one of the lead roles in a film that is now considered one of Altman’s finest works.

In 1980, Duvall reunited with Altman for “Popeye,” a live-action musical starring Robin Williams. Her portrayal of Olive Oyl included the memorable musical number “He’s Large.”

As the early 1980s progressed, Duvall began to attract attention from other directors. She appeared in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” and Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits.” However, it was her role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” that left an indelible mark on cinema. In this film, she played the tormented wife of Jack Torrance, the alcoholic caretaker of the Overlook Hotel.

Duvall’s performance in “The Shining” was extraordinary, although the process of filming was grueling. Kubrick, known for his exacting standards, often required dozens of takes before he was satisfied, necessitating that Duvall perform highly emotional scenes repeatedly. In a rare 2021 interview, Duvall described the physical and emotional toll this took on her:

[Kubrick] doesn’t print anything until at least the 35th take. Thirty-five takes, running and crying and carrying a little boy, it gets hard. And full performance from the first rehearsal. That’s difficult … after a while, your body rebels. It says: ‘Stop doing this to me. I don’t want to cry every day.’ And sometimes just that thought alone would make me cry. To wake up on a Monday morning, so early, and realize that you had to cry all day because it was scheduled — I would just start crying. I’d be like, ‘Oh no, I can’t, I can’t.’ And yet I did it. I don’t know how I did it.

Despite acknowledging the significant strain, Duvall also noted that Kubrick was very warm and friendly towards her on set and enjoyed discussing the film extensively with her and co-star Jack Nicholson.

In the late 1980s, Duvall began a new chapter by founding her own production company, Think Entertainment. Through this venture, she produced children’s shows and movies, including “Mother Goose Rock ’n’ Rhyme.” However, by the 1990s, her activities in both acting and production slowed down, and by the early 2000s, she had largely withdrawn from Hollywood, making only occasional appearances.

In 2016, Duvall’s appearance on “Dr. Phil” garnered much attention and controversy, as it seemed to suggest she might have been suffering from an untreated mental illness. Reflecting on that experience in her 2021 interview, Duvall expressed disillusionment with the show and its host: “I found out the kind of person [Dr. Phil] is the hard way.”

Duvall may not have originally intended to become an actress, but she emerged as one of the most remarkable talents of her era. The films she made with Altman and Kubrick remain timeless, as does her contribution to them.

Source: Various sources