Star of The Shining and ‘icon of ‘70s cinema’ Shelley Duvall dies, age 75

Hollywood is in mourning today as it bids farewell to screen icon Shelley Duvall, who sadly passed away at the age of 75.

Renowned for her unforgettable performances in films such as The Shining and Popeye, Duvall died in her sleep on Thursday, July 11 at her home in Texas, her longtime partner Dan Gilroy announced.

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life, partner, and friend left us last night,” Gilroy said in a statement.

“Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley.”

Born on July 7, 1949, Duvall began her acting career after being discovered by director Robert Altman, who cast her in the comedy film Brewster McCloud in 1970. She continued to collaborate with Altman on various projects, including McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) and Thieves Like Us (1974).

Duvall’s breakthrough came with Altman’s Nashville in 1975, and she later received widespread acclaim for her performance in the drama 3 Women in 1977, which won her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a nomination for the British Academy Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Duvall rose to fame with memorable roles such as Olive Oyl in Altman’s live-action Popeye and Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s horror film The Shining. After establishing herself with these roles, she went on to appear in several successful films, including Time Bandits (1981), the comedy horror film Frankenweenie (1984), and the comedy Roxanne (1987).

In the 1990s, Duvall took on supporting roles in films such as the thriller The Underneath (1995) and Jane Campion’s drama The Portrait of a Lady (1996). After retiring from acting in the early 2000s, Duvall returned to the screen after 21 years for her final role in the horror film The Forest Hills in 2023.

As news broke of Duvall’s passing, fans joined members of the entertainment industry in paying tribute to the screen icon while reflecting on some of her most memorable performances.

Shelley Duvall, legendary character actor, and The Shining’s extraordinary Wendy Torrance has died at the age of 75. Shelley’s career was varied and long.

Despite being dogged with exaggerations of her treatment on set, Shelley was always vocal about her experience filming The… pic.twitter.com/q8ZYu08Uco

— Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) July 11, 2024

RIP to the truly iconic Shelley Duvall, who burned up the screen in many funny, intense and idiosyncratic roles. I especially loved her in ‘McCabe & Mrs Miller’, ‘Thieves Like Us’, ‘Nashville’, the extraordinary ‘Three Women’, ‘Annie Hall’, ‘Time Bandits’, ‘Roxanne’, her Olive… pic.twitter.com/CeNHV9h0ON

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) July 11, 2024

I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of the beautiful bright Shelley Duvall. Faerie Tale Theatre was a huge part of my childhood, it’s what introduced me to the bright bubbly lovely Duvall. May she find peace, love, and light. pic.twitter.com/jXck2OtCs2

— Captaintooshie👻 (@captaintooshie) July 11, 2024

So long Shelley Duvall. What made her special was not just how versatile she was, but she was unlike any of her contemporaries.

She simply made you fall in love with Olive Oyl. pic.twitter.com/gPqHdG4kGX

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) July 11, 2024

Shelley Duvall lit up the screen – every film she was in was brighter for her presence, and yet the industry (and life) were frequently so cruel to her. I’m sad she’s died, but glad she was living a good life in her final years by all accounts. There won’t be another like her ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pvL73syje1

— hannah strong (@thethirdhan) July 11, 2024

We say goodbye to legendary actress, and an icon of ‘70s cinema, Shelley Duvall.

A singular actress, she captivated us with a sweetness and vulnerability she brought to a variety of unforgettable performances. @THR remembers her here: https://t.co/A5GqGM9U9P pic.twitter.com/b0jNV537j5

— TCM (@tcm) July 11, 2024

Duvall is survived by her three brothers Scott, Stewart and Shane.

-with BANG.