CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Shelley Duvall, the Texas-born movie star, who starred opposite Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, has died. She was 75.
Duvall died Thursday in her sleep at home in Blanco, Texas, her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, announced. The cause was complications from diabetes, said her friend, the publicist Gary Springer.
Known for her winsome screen presence and compelling performances, Duvall’s career spanned several decades and included some of the most memorable roles in Hollywood history. Here, we celebrate her legacy by revisiting five of her most notable films.
The Shining (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson, Danny Lloyd in the lead apart from Shelley Duvall, Wendy Torrance was arguably the most iconic role in the actor’s career. An adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Shining is about Nicholson’s Jack Torrance, who takes the job of winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. As Jack slowly descends into madness, Wendy must protect herself and their son Danny from his unpredictable and violent behavior. Duvall’s portrayal of Wendy is both fragile and resilient. Her ability to convey fear and desperation was so palpable, making her character’s struggle against her husband’s increasing insanity deeply moving.
Popeye (1980)
The lanky, quirky love interest of Robin Williams’ Popeye in the Robert Altman directorial was in stark contrast to the role Duvall played in The Shining—a testament to the actor’s versatility. A musical take on the comic strip character, the film follows the adventures of Popeye as he arrives in the port town of Sweethaven, searches for his long-lost father, and falls for Olive Oyl. Duvall is both endearing and awkward as Olive Oyl and has an undeniable chemistry with Williams. While the movie received mixed reviews, it remains one of the standout performances of the late actor.
