Shelley Duvall, renowned for her role in 'The Shining' and as a muse for director Robert Altman, passes away at 75

Shelley Duvall, renowned for her role in "The Shining," passed away on Thursday at her home in Blanco, Texas, according to her partner Dan Gilroy. She was 75 years old.

Duvall had been in hospice care and bedridden for several months due to complications from diabetes. Gilroy stated that she passed away peacefully in her sleep. "She’s gone after much suffering," said Gilroy, who has been her partner since 1989. "I can’t tell you how much I miss her."

Duvall is best remembered for her roles in the 1980 horror classic "The Shining" alongside Jack Nicholson and the 1980 comedy "Popeye" with Robin Williams. She frequently collaborated with director Robert Altman, beginning with her debut in his 1970 comedy "Brewster McCloud," as reported by Variety.

Her other notable works include "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," "Thieves Like Us," "Nashville," "Buffalo Bill and the Indians," and "Annie Hall." In 1977, Duvall won the Cannes Film Festival award for Best Actress for her role in "3 Women," which subsequently led to her casting in "The Shining," according to Variety.

In a 1981 interview with People, Duvall reflected on how the film adaptation of Stephen King’s book launched her career, although she found the filming process demanding. She mentioned that director Stanley Kubrick had her "crying 12 hours a day for weeks on end," adding, "I will never give that much again. If you want to get into pain and call it art, go ahead, but not with me."

Duvall began to withdraw from acting in the 1990s. Her last appearance was in the 2023 film "The Forest Hills," marking her return after a 20-year hiatus. Scott Goldberg, who directed "The Forest Hills," described Duvall as "radiant, very kind and witty." He praised her performance, saying, "She was wonderful to work with and she did a great job. Very proud of her."

Goldberg expressed his shock and sadness over her passing, noting that working with Duvall, one of his idols, was a significant achievement for him. "It was automatic sadness and shock," he said. "She was nothing but sweet and nice and sharp, and I really will miss her."