Famous actress Shelley Duvall has passed away this past Thursday at the age of 75. The American actress was well-known for her professional career in films such as Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, Annie Hall, and Nashville. The news of Duval’s death was announced by her longtime partner musician Dan Gilroy in a recent statement to the Hollywood Reporter.
On Thursday, July 11th, Gilroy confirmed the passing of his beloved partner Shelley Duvall to the outlet. In his statement, Gilroy described Duvall as his “dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend”. Gilroy revealed that Duvall had been suffering in the later years of her life, but she is now free. Gilroy wished his partner a bittersweet farewell during his statement.
Gilroy further confirmed that Duvall passed away in her sleep due to complications from diabetes at her home in Texas. Duvall had been featured in over 30 films during her Hollywood career, which spanned more than 50 years. Aside from her most notable performance in The Shining alongside Jack Nicholson, Duvall starred as Olive Oyl in the film adaptation of Popeye, alongside Robin Williams. Although Duvall was well known in the entertainment industry, as well as winning several awards such as Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, Duvall took a hiatus from film screens for two decades. Duvall’s recent comeback film, The Forest Hills, was released last year.
Duvall’s large brown eyes, slim figure, and offbeat charisma shaped her as a compelling and distinct figure in Hollywood. Duvall’s first on-screen appearance was in the 1970 dark comedy film Brewster McCloud directed by Robert Altman. Altman took a liking to Duvall and cast her again as a depression-era bank robber in the film Thieves Like Us. In the past, Duvall stated that Altman’s liking of her performances was the reason she continued to pursue an acting career. Novelist Nicole Flattery dubbed Duvall as the “ultimate film star” following her 2023 comeback.
