Shelley Duvall, Star From 'The Shining,' Dies At 75

Shelley Duvall died on July 11 at the age of 75.
Her cause of death has been attributed to complications related to diabetes.
Duvall was a favorite of Robert Altman and boasted a prolific acting career, which famously saw her as Wendy in ‘The Shining.’

On July 11, actress Shelley Duvall died. She was 75 when she passed away in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas. Her cause of death has been attributed to complications related to diabetes, according to Dan Gilroy, her life partner since 1989, who shared details of her death with The Hollywood Reporter.

With a career spanning over three decades, Duvall was an actress with numerous awards and nominations to her name. The ’80s saw her emerge as a leading actor, including in 1980’s live-action version of Popeye and in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Prolific actor Shelley Duvall has died

Wendy Torrence from The Shining / YouTube screenshot

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us,” Gilroy shared in a statement to THR. “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”

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After withdrawing from her prolific career for several years, Duvall returned to the spotlight in a now-infamous Dr. Phil interview that has been slammed by viewers, including Kubrick’s daughter Vivian, as “appallingly cruel” and outright “exploitative.” During the interview, Duvall said “I’m very sick. I need help.”

Shining bright

Popeye / © Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Texas native Duvall was born on July 7, 1949, and quickly proved to be as energetic as she was artistically-inclined, to the point she earned the nickname Manic Mouse from her mother. Originally, her interests aligned with the sciences, an area of study she fully intended on studying when she was a teen.

However, she met Robert Altman at a party while he was filming Brewster McCloud, and Duvall immediately won the attention and interest of the other cast members. Duvall herself was “swept away” by the experience—and was swept away by a whole other career path.

Fans and critics were, similarly, swept away by her performances, one after another, and Duvall would earn numerous accolades recognizing her talents. They include the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a Peabody Award, along with nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a British Academy Film Award.

Rest in peace, the remarkable Shelley Duvall.