Goodbye Shelley Duvall

Remembering an on-screen scream legend

The Shining Actress Shelley Duvall has passed away in her sleep from complications of diabetes at her home in Blanco, Texas.

Her longtime partner Dan Gilroy since '89 released a short statement about her passing:

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley."

Duvall was born in 1949 in her hometown at Fort Worth, Texas. During the 70s, Duvall accidentally met film director Robert Altman at a party in Houston while he was shooting his film. He was impressed with Duvall's physical appearance and her presence and asked to be a part of his film. She flew to Hollywood and subsequently appeared in the film as the free-spirited love interest to Bud Cort's reclusive Brewster. Duvall continued acting in McCabe & Mrs. Miller in 1971, Thieves Like Us in 1974, Nashville in 1975, 3 Women in 1977, and Annie Hall in 1977. In 1980, Duvall was cast as Wendy Torrance in the horror flick The Shining based on the novel by Stephen King about a family: Jack Torrance, a former alcoholic and writer played by Jack Nicholson, his wife played by Duvall, and their son played by Danny Lloyd living in a haunted hotel. The film also delivers the film scene where Jack attacks and chases Wendy with an axe. Wendy hides in the bathroom with a knife while Jack uses his axe to slam open the bathroom door where Wendy hiding. It was where Jack peaked at the hole at the bathroom door when he cut through the door and says:

Here's Johnny!!!!

The movie line became the films' most infamous catchpharses

The film received mixed reviews and became a cult classic hit however Duvall received a Razzie nomination. Despite the film's success, Duvall didn't have the time of her life filming The Shining. During her time filming The Shining, Duvall was literally "terrified" portraying Wendy. Duvall was so horrified that she suffered a mental breakdown. While Duvall was in London shooting The Shining, Robert Altman cast her to portray Olive Oyl in his big-screen adaptation of Popeye, opposite Robin Williams. The film was a commercial success despite negative critical reviews, while Duvall was praised for her performance.

She continued in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Bernice Bobs Her Hair in 1976 for PBS, Frankenweenie in 1984, Changing Habits in 1997, Home Fries and Casper meets Wendy in 1998, Jane Campion’s The Portrait of a Lady in 1996, Suburban Commando in 1991 and, in her last acting appearance for a while, Manna From Heaven in 2002. In 2002, Duvall stepped away from Hollywood and moved to Texas to live her private life. In November 2016, Duvall appeared unrecognizable on the Dr. Phil Show. The interview, which became controversial for the way it depicted Duvall’s mental health at the time, ended with Duvall refusing McGraw’s proposed treatment.

In the interview, Duvall was suffering from mental illness and claimed her late Popeye co-star Robin Williams was still alive. Fans of The Shining star expressed outrage towards Dr. Phil even actress and model Mia Farrow called out Dr. Phil on X (Twitter). Duvall expressed her regret appearing on the show. In 2023, two decades after disappearing from the spotlight, Duvall returns to acting starring in an indie horror flick The Forrest Hills.

In her final interview in 2023, she appears grateful to be back in the spotlight.

"Acting again — it's so much fun. It enriches your life."

People, 2023

Shelley was an incredible actress in The Shining honestly the critics sucked. Despite her current appearance, she was beautiful from the inside and had strived through during the 70s.

Rest in beautiful peace Shelley