The world of cinema is dimmer today with the loss of Shelley Duvall, the iconic actress whose performances captivated audiences and critics alike. The two-time Emmy nominee passed away at 75 in her Texas home, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking performances that reshaped Hollywood's depiction of nuanced characters.
Duvall died in her sleep of complications from diabetes, according to Dan Gilroy, who has been her life partner since 1989. "My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she's free," the musician, 77, told The Hollywood Reporter this morning. "Fly away, beautiful Shelley."
The beloved actress's career was marked by her collaborations with some of the most innovative directors of her time, including Robert Altman and the controversial Stanley Kubrick. Her role as Wendy Torrance in The Shining remains a high watermark of film acting, remembered for both the psychological depth she brought to the character and the grueling process it took to capture it on camera.
"After a while, your body rebels," Duvall told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. "It says, 'Stop doing this to me. I don't want to cry every day,' And sometimes just that thought alone would make me cry. To wake up on a Monday morning, so early, and realize that you had to cry all day because it was scheduled — I would just start crying. I'd be like, 'Oh no, I can't.' And yet I did it. I don't know how I did it." Duvall added that her co-star Jack Nicholson even said, "I don't know how you do it."
Following the news of Duvall's death, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their grief and admiration.
"she was such a legend. may she rest in peace 🤍" one person said.
"Kubrick drove her nuts on the set of The Shining, but he got a helluva performance out of her. R.I.P.," another fan remarked.
"I LOVE YOU SHELLY DUVALL I LOVE YOU SO MUCH😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭" expressed a third.
One of Duvall's biggest fans mourned her death by sharing photos from her last visit with the actress — to celebrate the star's 75th birthday just days before her death.
"I've seen the news about Shelley Duvall. I'm doing ok. Shelley was having difficulties with her health over the past few months and I visited with her often," they wrote. "I'll always be grateful for the memories I created with her and that I was able to give her comfort and companionship."
Duvall's remarkable journey on screen ends, but her influence will live on forever.
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