Shelley Duvall, star of ‘The Shining,’ ‘Nashville,’ dies at 75

Shelley Duvall, the intrepid, Texas-born movie star whose wide-eyed, winsome presence was a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” has passed away at the age of 75.

Duvall died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas, as announced by her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy. The cause of death was complications of diabetes, according to her friend, publicist Gary Springer.

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us last night,” Gilroy stated. “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley.”

Duvall was discovered by Altman’s crew members while attending junior college in Texas. She was introduced to the director at a party in Houston in 1970 and was cast in “Brewster McCloud,” marking the beginning of her collaboration with Altman.

Throughout her career, Duvall appeared in several Altman films including “Thieves Like Us,” “Nashville,” “Popeye,” “Three Women,” and “McCabe & Mrs. Miller.”

“He offers me … good roles,” Duvall mentioned in a 1977 interview with The New York Times. “None of them have been alike. He has a great confidence in me, and a trust and respect for me, and he doesn’t put any restrictions on me or intimidate me, and I love him. I remember the first advice he ever gave me: ‘Don’t take yourself seriously.’”

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Duvall, known for her gaunt and gawky appearance, was praised for her beguiling frank manner and singular naturalism. Film critic Pauline Kael even compared her to the “female Buster Keaton.”

In “The Shining,” Duvall portrayed Wendy Torrance, witnessing her husband’s descent into madness at the Overlook Hotel. Her expressive screams became an iconic image of the film.

Despite her success, Duvall gradually withdrew from acting in the 1990s and made her final film appearance in 2002’s “Manna From Heaven.” She retreated from the public eye but resurfaced earlier this year for her first interview in years.

“How would you feel if people were really nice, and then, suddenly, on a dime” — she snapped her fingers — “they turn on you?” Duvall reflected to the Times. “You would never believe it unless it happens to you. That’s why you get hurt, because you can’t really believe it’s true.”