Shelley Duvall dies at 75, final birthday photo surfaces
10:19 AM EDT, July 13, 2024
Shelley Duval passed away a few days after her 75th birthday. A photo taken by a fan on the actress's special day has now been published online.
Her partner and manager, Gary Springer, announced the death of the actress known for her roles in Robert Altman's films and Stanley Kubrick's cult horror "The Shining." American media reports that Duval died in her sleep due to complications related to diabetes.
The administrator of a fan account on the X platform (formerly Twitter) dedicated to the actress has shared their experience. It turns out that they spent Duvall's birthday together and took a photo.
"Shelley had been having health issues for the past few months, so I often visited her. I will be forever grateful for the memories I created with her and for being her companion and comfort," the fan wrote in a post featuring a smiling Duval resting her head on the fan's shoulder, holding a small bouquet of flowers.
Shelley Duvall: A sad hollywood story
In 1969, at a party, she met Robert Altman, who was just starting his directing career. Altman immediately saw potential in Duvall and offered her a role in "Brewster McCloud." She agreed without hesitation, even without reading the script.
She gained critical acclaim with "Three Women," and her most popular role among moviegoers was in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," where she played the wife of Jack Nicholson's character.
The experience with this cult classic proved devastating for Duvall. It is well-known that Kubrick used unacceptable practices, bullied the actress, and drove her to extreme exhaustion. After working on the horror film, Shelley grew disillusioned with Hollywood, appearing on set less frequently and in less significant productions.
Her mental health issues undoubtedly impacted her career. A few years ago, it was revealed that the actress lived in poor conditions, neglecting herself and her surroundings. Apparently, in the last year, her situation had improved enough that she had close people around her.