Shelley Duvall: From Hollywood Stardom to Quiet Life in Texas

Shelley Duvall, a Texas-born actress best known for her roles in the films of Robert Altman and Stanley Kubrick, passed away at the age of 75. Duvall was renowned for her unique presence and versatility, most notably in “The Shining.” After retiring in the 1990s, she led a more secluded life in Texas.

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 died. She was 75. Duvall died Thursday in her sleep at home in Blanco, Texas, her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, announced. The cause was complications from diabetes, said her friend, the publicist Gary Springer.

Duvall was attending junior college in Texas when Altman's crew members, preparing to film "Brewster McCloud," encountered her at a Houston party in 1970. They introduced the 20-year-old to the director, who cast her in "Brewster McCloud" and made her his protege. Duvall appeared in many of Altman's films, including "Popeye" and "Three Women."

Her role in Kubrick's "The Shining" became infamous for the emotional and physical toll it took on her, with reports stating some scenes were shot over a hundred times. By the 1990s, she retired from acting and public life. Her battle with mental health issues came to the fore when she appeared in a controversial 2016 interview on the "Dr. Phil" show. Recently, she attempted a minor comeback with a role in the indie horror film "The Forest Hills."

(With inputs from agencies.)