Who was Shelley Duvall and what was her cause of death?

SHELLEY Duvall was an accomplished actress who received multiple awards throughout her career in the spotlight.

On July 11, 2024, the Hollywood star tragically passed away at the age of 75.

Who was Shelley Duvall?

Shelley Duvall was born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas .

Per The Hollywood Reporter , the actress studied at South Texas Junior College, intending to become a research scientist . She was also interested in nutrition .

In the mid-1990s, she moved to Hollywood, California , and began her accomplished acting career.

She was also the head of her own production company, Think Entertainment, “which created star-studded, innovative children’s programming for cable television,” according to the outlet. The company earned her two Emmy Award nominations.

Duvall received multiple awards, including Best Actress for 3 Women at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival and a 1977 LAFCA Award for Best Actress in 3 Women, per her IMDb page .

She also won a 1984 Peabody Award for the television series Faerie Tale Theatre.

In November 2016, Duvall was featured on the popular talk show Dr. Phil — which has since concluded after 21 seasons — and discussed her mental illness .

Per The Hollywood Reporter , the then 67-year-old told Dr. Phil McGraw, “I am very sick. I need help.”

The longtime host received backlash from Vivian Kubrick, the daughter of the late director of The Shining , Stanley Kubrick.

Addressing Dr. Phil, Vivian shared on X , then known as Twitter, “You are putting Shelley Duvall ‘on show’ while she is suffering from a pitiable state of ill health.

“Unquestionably, this is purely a form of lurid and exploitative entertainment – it’s appallingly cruel.

“Shelley Duvall was a movie star … whatever dignity a mere unfortunate creature might have in this world, is denied her by your displaying her in this way.

“I recoil in complete disgust. I hope others will join me in boycotting your utterly heartless form of entertainment, because it has nothing to do with compassionate healing.”

What was her cause of death?

On July 11, 2024, Duvall died from diabetes complications.

Her life partner , Dan Gilroy , revealed the tragic news to The Hollywood Reporter, adding that the actress passed in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas.

Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images - Getty

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley,” he said.

What are some of Shelley Duvall’s most famous movies?

Duvall appeared in many films throughout her successful entertainment career and was especially known for starring alongside Jack Nicholson in the 1980 hit horror/mystery The Shining.

Some of her other most famous movies include the 1980 family / comedy Popeye opposite the late Robin Williams , the 1977 comedy/romance Annie Hall, the 1977 thriller/mystery 3 Women, and the 1975 musical /comedy Nashville.

The star is also known for her roles in films like Brewster McCloud (1970), McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), Time Bandits (1981), and Forest Hills (2023).

Was Shelley Duvall married?

Duvall was married to artist Bernard Sampson from 1970 to 1974.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the pair wed while the actress was filming Brewster McCloud.

However, the former couple divorced four years later, not long after they got to Los Angeles .

Duvall began dating her life partner Gilroy in 1989.