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The heartbreaking death of The shining star Shelley Duvall received an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and actors.
Duvall, who played the wife of Jack Nicholson’s axe-wielding maniac in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 Stephen King adaptation, died in her sleep from complications of diabetes. Her death on Thursday (July 11) comes just days after her 75th birthday on July 7.
“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend has left us,” her long-time partner Dan Gilroy said The Hollywood Reporter. “She’s suffered too much lately, now she’s free. Fly away, pretty Shelley.”
“Despite the constant exaggeration of her treatment on set, Shelley was always candid about her experiences during filming. The shining and said she “wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world” because “working with the beloved Stanley was a fascinating learning experience,” according to the late director Kubrick’s official X account. “Our thoughts are with Shelley’s friends and family.”
Over the years, Duvall has repeatedly denied claims that she struggled after filming The shining or harbored resentment toward Kubrick. She had previously said that “it was so hard to be hysterical for so long,” and described making the film as “almost unbearable.” However, she was also complimentary about the experience, adding, “But from other points of view, it’s really fun, I think.”
Scott Goldberg, who directed Duvall for her last film, the 2023 horror thriller The Forest Hillstold People: “Shelley leaves behind a wonderful legacy and will be missed by so many people, including myself. I am proud of her for overcoming adversity to return to trading and will always be grateful for her friendship and kindness.”
Ginny and Georgia actor Sabrina Grdevich commented on The Hollywood Reporter‘s Instagram post about Duvall’s death: “Ohhhh how I loved her. Rest in peace sweet Shelley.”
“This really sucks,” wrote actor and playwright Halley Feiffer.
“Shelley Duvall was such an incredible talent and played such a huge role in the development of my imagination as a child. I am going to watch this on repeat today. RIP,” The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Writer Mike Drucker tweeted a link to a video compilation in which Duvall introduces himself through the years.
“I saw the news about Shelley Duvall. I am doing well. Shelley has been having some health issues for the past few months and I have visited her often,” wrote a young woman, Sarah, who befriended Duvall in her later years on X: “I will always be grateful for the memories I made with her and that I was able to offer her comfort and companionship.”
The beloved actor went on to star in seven Robert Altman films, including McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), Thieves like us (1974) and Nashville (1975), which was considered her breakthrough. She also appeared in Jane Campion’s 1996 film The portrait of a lady.
Duvall was born the eldest daughter of Bobbie Ruth Crawford and Robert Duvall in Fort Worth, Texas, and had three younger brothers: Scott, Shane, and Stewart. She is survived by her partner Gilroy.