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| Shelley Duvall Photo: Warner Bros |
The character actress, whose memorable roles included Wendy Torrance, the wife of axe-wielding Jack in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, died from the complications of diabetes at her home in Blanco, Texas.
Gilroy told 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.”
Texas-born Duvall rose to screen prominence in the Seventies, acting in seven films for Robert Altman beginning with her debut as a teenage tourguide in Brewster McCloud. She would go on to feature in McCabe & Mrs Miller, Thieves Like Us, Nashville, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson, 3 Women and, alongside Robin Williams in Popeye.
The role of Millie Lamoureaux in 3 Women saw her BAFTA nominated and named best actress at Cannes.
Duvall was particularly known for her intensely emotional performance in horror film The Shining. Down the years there has been considerable speculation about her treatment onset but although she said the long days were sometimes gruelling, she also noted that "there were no grudges". Those wanting to read more about that, should check out this Twitter thread.
The star knew how to make her mark even in smaller roles, making memorable appearances in Roxanne, Annie Hall and Time Bandits.
Duvall became known to a generation of children via anthology TV show Faerie Tale Theatre and founded production company Think Entertainment in 1988, producing children's TV and films - for which she received two Emmy nominations.
After a 20-year break from acting she returned to film in 2022 with a cameo role in Scott Goldberg’s horror The Forest Hills. She was married to her first husband Bernard Sampson from 1970 to 1977. She later met Gilroy after they starred in1990 Disney Channel film Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme.
