‘The Shining,’ ‘Popeye’ Actress Shelley Duvall Dead At 75

Actress Shelley Duvall of “The Shining” and “Popeye” fame has died at the age of 75 from complications related to diabetes.

The actress passed away in her sleep on Thursday at her home in Blanco, Texas, her longtime boyfriend Dan Gilroy announced online. “My dear, sweet, wonderful life, partner, and friend left us last night,” Gilroy wrote in a statement. “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley.”

Duvall was known for appearing in Robert Altman’s films, including “Thieves Like Us,” “Nashville, ” “Popeye,” “Three Women,” and “McCabe & Ms. Miller.”

“He offers me … good roles,” the actress told The New York Times in 1977, per NPR. “None of them have been alike. He has a great confidence in me, and a trust and respect for me, and he doesn’t put any restrictions on me or intimidate me, and I love him. I remember the first advice he ever gave me: ‘Don’t take yourself seriously.’”

Duvall was also well-known for her leading role opposite Jack Nicholson in “The Shining.” Her terrified face when Nicholson busted down a door with an axe as he said “Heeeeere’s Johnny!” became a defining image of the horror genre. But the actress retired from Hollywood in the 1990s and disappeared from the spotlight.

She discussed her departure from the industry in an interview earlier this year. 

“How would you feel if people were really nice, and then, suddenly, on a dime, they turn on you? You would never believe it unless it happens to you. That’s why you get hurt, because you can’t really believe it’s true,” Duvall told The New York Times in April.

There were rumors that director Stanley Kubrick treated her badly while filming “The Shining.”

Shelley Duvall, legendary character actor, and The Shining’s extraordinary Wendy Torrance has died at the age of 75. Shelley’s career was varied and long.

Despite being dogged with exaggerations of her treatment on set, Shelley was always vocal about her experience filming The… pic.twitter.com/q8ZYu08Uco

— Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) July 11, 2024

The late director’s official account posted about Duvall’s death. “Despite being dogged with exaggerations of her treatment on set, Shelley was always vocal about her experience filming The Shining saying she ‘wouldn’t trade it for anything’ because ‘working with lovable Stanley was a fascinating learning experience.’ Our thoughts are with Shelley’s friends and family.”