Shelley Duvall, star of ‘The Shining’ and Robert Altman films, dies at 75

Shelley Duvall, known for her roles in 'The Shining' and Robert Altman films, has died at 75.

Shelley Duvall, the acclaimed actress best known for her roles in "The Shining" and several Robert Altman films, died on Thursday at the age of 75. Duvall passed away in her sleep due to complications from diabetes at her home in Blanco, Texas, according to her life partner Dan Gilroy, who spoke with 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," Gilroy said.

Duvall, renowned for her distinctive appearance and versatility, starred in seven films directed by Altman, including "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," "Nashville," "3 Women," and "Popeye." Her performance in "3 Women" earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. Altman praised her talent, saying she could be "charming, silly, sophisticated, pathetic, even beautiful."

She is perhaps most famously remembered for her role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic "The Shining." In a 1981 interview with People magazine, Duvall recalled the grueling 13-month shoot, stating, "I will never give that much again. If you want to get into pain and call it art, go ahead, but not with me."

Duvall also created and produced children's programming through her company, Think Entertainment, including the Emmy-nominated "Faerie Tale Theatre" and "Tall Tales & Legends." Her work in these series featured collaborations with numerous A-list celebrities.

In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she reflected on her challenging experience filming "The Shining," describing the emotional toll and her preparation techniques. "Sometimes just that thought alone would make me cry," she said.

Shelley Alexis Duvall was born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was discovered by Altman's team while attending a party in Houston and made her film debut in "Brewster McCloud" (1970). She continued acting until the mid-1990s and returned to the screen in 2022 with a role in "The Forest Hills."