- Shelley Duvall’s life was marked by mental health struggles and a transformation in her physical appearance.
- She faced criticism for losing her teeth while dealing with significant health issues.
- Her final years included a nostalgic return to Hollywood and poignant reflections on her career.
Hollywood recently lost one of its iconic movie stars from the golden age, Shelley Duvall. Her last years were filled with reminiscent memories of her career despite enduring health issues over time. Take a look at Duvall’s appearance before she died, which shocked many.
She appeared in “McCabe and Mrs. Miller” (1971), “Thieves Like Us” (1974), and “Nashville” (1975). Duvall continued to thrive with a lead role in “2 Women” (1977) for which she won a Best Actress Award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.
Shelley Duvall on the set of “3 Women,” 1977 | Source: Getty Images
However, it was her stint in the classic 1980 horror film “The Shining” opposite Jack Nicholson that catapulted her to superstardom. Duvall played Wendy Torrance in the movie and part of her experience was not thrilling.
Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall on the set of “The Shining,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images
The film was directed by Stanley Kubrick who psychologically tormented her on set. This caused Duvall distress and trauma which .
Shelley Duvall on the set of “The Shining,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Kubrick chose to cast her after seeing her emotional performance in “3 Women.” He to the star, “I like the way you cry.” As such, Duvall had to reach a state of hysteria, often crying for 12 hours a day.
Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Jack Nicholson on the set of “The Shining,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Moreover, Kubrick’s rigorous filming schedule demanded six days a week, with up to 16-hour days. While Nicholson rented a home in London, Duvall chose a flat near the studio in Hertfordshire.
Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson pictured on January 1, 1980, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Accompanied only by a dog and two birds, she fully committed to her role, ensuring she gave her best performance. “The Shining” holds a Guinness World Record for the most retakes of a scene with dialogue.
Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd on the set of “The Shining,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images
This record-breaking scene required 148 takes. Meanwhile, another challenging scene was the staircase one, which was shot 127 times.
Duvall once , “It was a difficult scene, but it turned out to be one of the best scenes in the film.” Despite the demanding nature of the shoot, she cherished part of the experience.
Jack Nicolson and Shelley Duvall on the set of “The Shining,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images
In 1982, two years after “The Shining” brought her fame, the producer launched her production company, Platypus, followed by Think Entertainment. She created kid’s TV shows, most notably “Faerie Tale Theatre,” featuring an all-star cast including Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve, Bernadette Peters, and Mick Jagger.
Shelley Duvall attends a party at the Brunswick Hollywood Legion Lanes on June 7, 1982, in Hollywood, California.
For over two decades, Duvall’s career was on pause. Her final film role before taking a break was in the comedy “Manna From Heaven,” as she mysteriously retired despite a successful journey as an actor and producer.
Shelley Duvall on the set of “Lily,” 1986 | Source: Getty Images
She reflected on her fame in an interview, saying, “I was a star; I had leading roles. People think it’s just aging, but it’s not. It’s violence.” When asked to elaborate on “violence,” she responded with a question.
Shelley Duvall on the set of “Lily,” 1986 | Source: Getty Images
“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,” Duvall .
Shelley Duvall at the 9th Annual Cable ACE Awards on January 24, 1988, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Her disappearance from the limelight was not due to a rumored breakdown from her treatment on the set of “The Shining.” Instead, it may reportedly be linked to two significant events that occurred in her life apart from winning a Cable Ace Award in 1994.
Shelley Duvall at the 1994 Cable Ace Awards on January 15, 1994 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images