Shelley Duvall, renowned for her roles in iconic films such as The Shining, has passed away at the age of 75. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that Duvall died on Thursday due to complications from diabetes at their home in Blanco, Texas, located about 50 miles west of Austin.
Duvall was honored by the Austin Film Society in 2020 with an induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame. Born in Fort Worth and raised in Houston, the AFS described her as “one of the iconic actresses of ‘70s and ‘80s Hollywood.” She appeared in several classic films directed by Robert Altman, including Thieves Like Us, Nashville, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Popeye, and 3 Women, for which she won the Cannes Best Actress Award and a Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award.
Duvall’s acting career began unexpectedly while attending junior college. She was discovered by director Altman, who was in Houston filming Brewster McCloud. According to an interview with David Letterman, Duvall hosted a party where crew members invited her to meet Altman, leading to her acting debut. This meeting sparked a series of collaborations with the director.
When asked why she often worked with Altman, Duvall explained, “He offers me good roles. None of them have been alike. He has great confidence in me, a trust and respect for me, and he doesn’t put any restrictions on me or intimidate me, and I love him.”
Apart from her memorable role as Olive Oyl in 1980’s Popeye alongside Robin Williams, Duvall was also a writer, producer, and director. She created several children’s entertainment series, including Faerie Tale Theatre, Mother Goose Rock ‘N’ Rhyme, Tall Tales and Legends, and Bedtime Stories.
In a 1992 interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air, Duvall expressed her longing to return to Texas after a busy film schedule, including a stint in Malta. “Gosh, if only I could have a house,” she remarked.
Duvall’s final film role was in 2002, after which she spent the remainder of her life in the Texas Hill Country.
Gilroy’s statement to The Hollywood Reporter announcing her death conveyed his deep affection and sorrow: “My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”