SAD PASSING
The Shining actress Shelley Duvall dead at 75 from diabetes complications as life partner says ‘now she’s free’
The reclusive actress previously discussed her mental illness on a widely criticized episode of Dr. Phil in 2016
SHELLEY Duvall, known for her role as Wendy Torrance in The Shining, died in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas, on Thursday at the age of 75.
The cause of death was complications of diabetes, her partner of 35 years, Dan Gilroy, said.
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"My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley," Gilroy told The Hollywood Reporter.
“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley,” Dan said.
Shelley also appeared in films such as Nashville, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, 3 Women, The Adventures of Shirley Holmes, and Popeye.
CONCERNING APPEARANCE
After decades away from Hollywood, Duvall made a now infamous on Dr. Phil in 2016, where she opened up about suffering from mental illness.
She told viewers that she was "very sick" and "needed help."
The movie star was even taken to a facility by Dr. Phil after she made him promise he wouldn't let doctors "murder her."
Soon after, the talk show host was slammed on X for airing an interview that "exploited her mental illness" for "lurid entertainment."
"We view every Dr. Phil episode, including Miss Duvall and her struggle with mental illness, as an opportunity to share relatable, useful information and perspective with our audience," a spokesperson for the show said after the airing.
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For many friends and fans, the talk show appearance was the first they'd heard from Shelley since leaving Hollywood, according to The Hollywood Reporter
The Shining's iconic 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' scene
After abandoning Los Angeles and most acting jobs three decades ago, the starlet returned to Texas to lead a reclusive and private life away from the spotlight.
SHELLEY'S LEGACY
Shelley was born in Fort Worth, Texas on July 7, 1949, to parents Bobbie and Bob Duvall.
She was discovered while with her first and only husband, Bernard Sampson, who threw a party that included crewmembers from the film Brewster McCloud.
Shelley was scouted to audition for Altman and his producer Lou Adler, later landing her first role in the 1970 comedy.
Becoming Altman's muse, Shelley was cast in six more of his films, including McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Thieves Like Us, Nashville, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, 3 Women, and Popeye.
Shelley Duvall Biggest Films
Remembering the actress after her death on July 11
- 3 Women
- The Shining
- Thieves Like Us
- Popeye
- McCabe and Mrs Miller
- The Portrait of a Lady
- Annie Hall
- Roxanne
- Time Bandits
- Brewster McCloud
- Nashville
- Bernice Bobs Her Hair
- Rapunzel
- Twilight of the Ice Nymphs
- Frankenweenie
Shelley began filming for The Shining alongside Jack Nicholson, 87, in 1979.
Her portrayal of the character Wendy Torrance has become one of her most notable roles to date.
Throughout the following decade, Shelley delved into producing television programs for children and earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
In 2002, she announced her retirement from acting after shooting her final film, Manna from Heaven.
On leaving the spotlight behind, Shelley told the New York Times earlier this year that she had hit her breaking point.
“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley."
Dan Gilroy
"People think it's just aging, but it's not. It's violence," she explained.
"How would you feel if people were really nice, and then, suddenly, on a dime" -- she snapped her fingers -- "they turn on you?
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"You would never believe it unless it happens to you. That's why you get hurt, because you can't really believe it's true."
Shelley's partner, Dan, added that the actress had started to "become paranoid and just kind of delusional, thinking she was being attacked."
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