Shelley Duvall, Star of 'The Shining' and Altman Films, Dies at 75

Acclaimed Actress Remembered for Quirky Screen Presence and Piercing Scream

Shelley Duvall, the actress who starred in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror classic "The Shining" and several acclaimed Robert Altman films, has died at the age of 75. Duvall's wide-eyed, winsome presence and distinctive screen personality made her one of the biggest film stars of the 1970s and early 1980s. Her piercing scream as Wendy Torrance, the harried wife of Jack Nicholson's character in "The Shining," is one of the most iconic moments in cinema history.

Duvall was born in Houston, Texas, in 1949. She began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. She made her film debut in Altman's 1970 comedy "MASH" and went on to star in six more of Altman's films, including "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971), "The Long Goodbye" (1973), and "Nashville" (1975).

Duvall's performance as Olive Oyl in Robert Altman's 1980 musical "Popeye" earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. She also starred in Terry Gilliam's 1981 fantasy film "Time Bandits" and Woody Allen's 1983 comedy "Zelig."

Duvall's later career was marked by personal struggles and a retreat from public life. She made her last film appearance in 2002 and gave her last interview in 2016.

Duvall's death was confirmed by her talent agent, who described her as "a wonderful soul" and "a very talented actress."