On July 11th, the world received the tragic news of Shelley Duvall’s passing. The actress, who has been on screen since she was just 21 years old, passed away in her sleep at the age of 75 after suffering from complications related to diabetes.
Duvall, who had been in over 56 films and television series, was mostly out of the public eye during her final years. She made a cameo in Scott Goldberg’s 2023 horror film The Forest Hills, which has yet to be released. Before that, she hadn’t appeared in any films since 2002’s Manna from Heaven.
Duvall also appeared on Dr. Phil in 2016, an episode that received significant backlash from viewers after airing on CBS. Dr. Phil was accused of exploiting Duvall’s mental and physical health for views on his daytime talk show, while Duvall herself stated that she was “very sick” at the time.
Despite the controversies, Duvall was a talented actress who collaborated with many well-known Hollywood stars such as Jack Nicholson, Robin Williams, Sean Connery, Warren Beatty, and Sissy Spacek to name a few. Following the news of her passing, many took to social media to express their love and admiration for Shelley.
Letterboxd posted on Instagram shortly after Duvall’s passing, surprising many users who had not yet heard the news. The top comment writing: “THIS IS HOW I FIND OUT?!?! 💔💔” (@vaanya.saraswat). Dan Gilroy, Duvall’s life partner since 1989, told 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.”
With posts from fans, friends, and coworkers, Duvall made an impact on all who saw her movies. Let’s delve into some of Duvall’s best roles, including a few you might not be as familiar with.
The Shining
Most probably know Duvall for her iconic role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980), often regarded as one of the best horror films ever made. The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a writer and school teacher, who takes the position of winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel, remotely situated in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Along with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd), the Torrance family encounters multiple ghostly entities as they begin to become completely isolated from a winter storm.
But Duvall’s work on The Shining was not without controversy. In a 2013 video interview with BBC, Stephen King stated that: “Shelley Duvall as Wendy is really one of the most misogynistic characters ever put on film. She’s basically just there to scream and be stupid. And that’s not the woman that I wrote about.” King, a vocal critic of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 cinematic adaptation of his own novel, The Shining, disapproved of many elements of Wendy Torrance’s character on screen. Stanley Kubrick was also accused of emotionally abusing Duvall on set after making her re-shoot a scene 127 times.
As a horror fan, Shelley’s role as Wendy Torrance is one of the most memorable roles in the genre. She perfectly balances the character of a terrified, exhausted mother with the strong, resilient final girl archetype. This nuanced portrayal is why her performance as Wendy has resonated with viewers for over four decades.
Popeye
Did you grow up watching Popeye? This 1980 film brought the classic cartoon to life. As Popeye (Robin Williams) goes searching for his long-lost father, he stumbles upon the coastal town of Sweethaven. There, he meets and falls in love with Olive Oyl (Shelley Duvall) and finds an abandoned baby, Sweet’Pea, whom he decides to raise as his own.
In a clip of Shelley Duvall singing “He’s Large” that was posted on YouTube, users shared heartfelt tributes. @NateKyng wrote, “RIP Duvall…thank you for childhood memories like this to always look back on.” @Quillons1 added, “Thank you for being part of my childhood era, Shelley. Rest peacefully, Olive.”
The musical comedy film, despite being released in the 1980s, holds a nostalgic charm that transcends generations. Many Gen Z viewers grew up watching the film, making it a classic that many continue to come back to, especially with Shelley Duvall opposite the beloved Robin Williams. Though the film is bizarre at times, both Duvall and Williams’ portrayal of these classic cartoon characters made the film memorable to young viewers. The duo also had an undeniable chemistry and infectious energy, making it a joy to watch.
Brewster McCloud
The film that started it all for Duvall was Robert Altman’s 1970 film, Brewster McCloud. This movie marked her first appearance on screen and set the stage for her illustrious career. In the film, she plays the role of Suzanne, a quirky tour guide of the Houston Astrodome. Suzanne becomes involved with the protagonist, Brewster, a reclusive young man who dreams of building a pair of wings to fly inside the Astrodome stadium.
Duvall’s collaboration with Altman didn’t end there. She went on to appear in seven of his feature films, including Thieves Like Us (1974) and Nashville (1975). Altman met Duvall at a party in her home state of Texas and became captivated by her presence and style. Although Duvall never initially wanted to be an actor, she was badgered by Altman to be in Brewster McCloud, thus creating one of Hollywood’s most memorable director-actor collaborations.
3 Women
How about another Altman film? 3 Women (1977) follows three women living together in a small California desert town: an adult (Shelley Duvall), an awkward teenager (Sissy Spacek), and a quiet pregnant woman (Janice Rule). As their lives intertwine, their identities and personalities begin to clash and overlap. Duvall’s relationship with Spacek, who is best known for playing Carrie in another Stephen King cinematic adaptation, is strange, yet, is completely alluring.
Robert Altman conceived the idea for the movie after having a dream, which is evident as the entire film and its characters have a dreamlike quality. The film offers a unique ‘70s feminist perspective, exploring themes of identity and transformation in a surreal, atmospheric setting. If you haven’t seen this film, I could not recommend it more.
Shelley Duvall’s Legacy
But Duvall was not just a star in front of the camera. She was the executive producer on television series such as Faerie Tale Theatre (1982-1987) and Tall Tales & Legends (1985-1988). She was also the writer and narrator of the children’s series Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories (1992) and the video game It’s a Bird’s Life (1992).
Whether the genre was horror, comedy, romance, or drama, or the medium was film, television, or video games, Shelley Duvall captivated the screen with her versatile talent. She effortlessly portrayed a wide range of characters, from the terrified Wendy Torrance in The Shining to the quirky and endearing Olive Oyl in Popeye. Hopefully, Duvall’s most recent film, The Forest Hills will be released soon, allowing audiences to see Shelley in her final role, in a genre where she once delivered one of the best performances of her career. She gave her all in every performance, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and proving herself to be a dynamic and gifted actress.
In an interview with People, Duvall remarked, “It’s actually so much fun to act in a movie. I should appreciate every minute of it.” Watching Duvall act is equally enjoyable. She was a remarkable talent, and we are fortunate to have so many films and television shows to rewatch and celebrate her career.
