Actress Shelley Duvall has passed away at the age of 75. Duvall’s partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed that she died in her sleep on July 9 due to complications from diabetes at her home in Blanco, Texas. Gilroy said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly: “Just like the birds she cared for and loved from the time they were babies, I feel her flying free, no suffering, lots of joy. My wonderful life partner of 34 years. So hard to say goodbye. I’m sitting here with her now, dreading the moment they come to take her away.”
Gilroy, who was involved with Duvall since 1989, also shared a statement via 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.” Duvall’s official cause of death was not disclosed.
Duvall starred in seven Robert Altman films – including McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), Thieves Like Us (1974), Nashville (1975), Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976), and 3 Women (1977). The latter saw Duvall receive the Cannes Film Festival award for Best Actress.
She will be most remembered however for her role Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980) alongside on-screen husband, Jack Nicholson. Duvall also had roles in 1977’s Annie Hall, 1980’s Popeye and 1998’ Casper Meets Wendy, among others. Duvall later turned her focus toward children’s television and served as the narrator, host, and executive producer of Faerie Tale Theatre from 1982-1987. She would also go on to create and present Tall Tales & Legends, an Emmy-nominated anthology series, as well as Nightmare Classics, Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories, and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.
Duvall moved from Hollywood to her native Texas in the mid-1990s, announcing her retirement in 2002 and later revealed struggles with her mental health. However, she recently returned to acting, and appeared in her final on-screen role in the movie The Forest Hills (2023).
Duvall is survived by her partner Gilroy, as well as her brothers Scott, Stewart, and Shane.
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