Shelley Duvall, the Texas-born movie star, who starred opposite Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, has died. She was 75.
Duvall died Thursday in her sleep at home in Blanco, Texas, her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, announced. The cause was complications from diabetes, said her friend, the publicist Gary Springer.
Known for her winsome screen presence and compelling performances, Duvall's career spanned several decades and included some of the most memorable roles in Hollywood history. Here, we celebrate her legacy by revisiting five of her most notable films.
The Shining (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson, Danny Lloyd in the lead apart from Shelley Duvall, Wendy Torrance was arguably the most iconic role in the actor's career. An adaptation of Stephen King's novel, The Shining is about Nicholson's Jack Torrance, who takes the job of winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. As Jack slowly descends into madness, Wendy must protect herself and their son Danny from his unpredictable and violent behavior. Duvall's portrayal of Wendy is both fragile and resilient. Her ability to convey fear and desperation was so palpable, making her character's struggle against her husband's increasing insanity deeply moving.
Popeye (1980)
The lanky, quirky love interest of Robin Williams' Popeye in the Robert Altman directorial was in stark contrast to the role Duvall played in The Shining—a testament to the actor's versatility. A musical take on the comic strip character, the film follows the adventures of Popeye as he arrives in the port town of Sweethaven, searches for his long-lost father, and falls for Olive Oyl. Duvall is both endearing and awkward as Olive Oyl and has an undeniable chemistry with Williams. While the movie received mixed reviews, it remains one of the standout performances of the late actor.
3 Women (1977)
Shelley Duvall was the mainstay in many of the films of Robert Altman, known for his "subversive" or "anti-Hollywood" movies. Also starring Sissy Spacek and Janice Rule, 3 Women centered on the relationship between Millie Lammoreaux (Duvall) and her new roommate Pinky Rose (Sissy Spacek) in a small California town. As their lives intertwine, the lines between their identities begin to blur, leading to unexpected consequences. Duvall's performance in this surreal psychological drama, which explores the theme of identity, was both captivating and unsettling. A performance-heavy movie, 3 Women, which was screened at the1977 Cannes Film Festival, heavily depended on Duvall's nuanced portrayal of Millie, and showcased her ability to get into the skin of characters.
Nashville (1975)
Another Robert Altman movie, Nashville had an ensemble cast, including David Arkin, Barbara Baxley, Ned Beatty, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Timothy Brown, Keith Carradine, Geraldine Chaplin, Robert DoQui. Despite the presence of several more senior actors, Duvall's portrayal of Martha, a carefree but naive young woman navigating the country and gospel music scene in Nashville, Tennessee was indeed delightful. The film weaves together the lives of 24 characters over five days, leading up to a political rally and a tragic event. Nashville showcased the actor's ability to effortlessly transform into characters that are relatable and lovable.
Time Bandits (1981)
In Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits, Duvall played a minor but memorable role as Dame Pansy, a woman living in the Napoleonic era who becomes entangled in the time-traveling adventures of the film's young protagonist and his band of dwarves. A whimsical and imaginative tale that blends history, fantasy, and humor, Duvall's performance as Dame Pansy was delightfully eccentric and witty. Despite her brief screen presence, her inimitable charm made the role memorable.