Shelley Alexis Duvall was an American actress celebrated for her portrayals of unique and often eccentric characters. Her talent earned her numerous awards, including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Peabody Award. She was also nominated for prestigious awards like the British Academy Film Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
1919: Birth of Shelley Duvall's Father, Robert Richardson Duvall
Robert Richardson "Bobby" Duvall, Shelley Duvall's father, was born in 1919. He initially worked as a cattle auctioneer and later became a lawyer.
1929: Birth of Shelley Duvall's Mother, Bobbie Ruth Crawford
Bobbie Ruth Crawford, Shelley Duvall's mother, was born in 1929. She later worked as a real estate broker.
July 7, 1949: Birth of Shelley Duvall
On July 7, 1949, Shelley Alexis Duvall was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She would later become known for her unique and eccentric characters in film.
1967: Shelley Duvall Graduates High School and Attends College
Shelley Duvall graduated from Waltrip High School in 1967. Following her graduation, she worked selling cosmetics at Foley's and enrolled at South Texas Junior College, pursuing a degree in nutrition and diet therapy.
1970: Shelley Duvall's Fateful Encounter with Robert Altman
Around 1970, Shelley Duvall's life took a significant turn when she crossed paths with director Robert Altman at a party during the filming of "Brewster McCloud" in Texas. This encounter led to her being offered a role in the film, a decision that launched her acting career and marked the beginning of a long-lasting professional relationship with Altman.
1970: Marriage to Bernard Sampson
Shelley Duvall married artist Bernard Sampson in 1970.
1970: Shelley Duvall's Acting Debut in "Brewster McCloud"
Shelley Duvall's acting career began in 1970 when she was discovered by director Robert Altman while he was filming "Brewster McCloud" in Texas. Impressed by her unique presence, Altman offered her a role in the film, marking her entry into the world of acting.
1971: Shelley Duvall Stars in Robert Altman's "McCabe & Mrs. Miller"
In 1971, Shelley Duvall continued her collaboration with Robert Altman, taking on the role of an unsatisfied mail-order bride in the film "McCabe & Mrs. Miller." This marked another step in her burgeoning career under Altman's direction.
1971: Shelley Duvall in Robert Altman's "McCabe & Mrs. Miller"
Shelley Duvall continued her collaborations with Robert Altman, appearing in his 1971 film "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" as an unsatisfied mail-order bride. This role further demonstrated her acting capabilities and solidified her association with Altman's work.
1974: Shelley Duvall in Robert Altman's "Thieves Like Us"
Continuing her work with Altman, Shelley Duvall appeared in the 1974 film "Thieves Like Us." She portrayed the daughter of a convict and the mistress of Keith Carradine's character, further showcasing her acting range.
1974: Shelley Duvall in Robert Altman's "Thieves Like Us"
In 1974, Shelley Duvall appeared in Robert Altman's film "Thieves Like Us," portraying the daughter of a convict and the mistress of Keith Carradine's character. This role further showcased her versatility and ability to portray complex characters.
1974: Divorce from Bernard Sampson
Shelley Duvall's marriage to Bernard Sampson ended in divorce in 1974.
1975: Shelley Duvall in Robert Altman's "Nashville"
Shelley Duvall delivered a memorable performance as a spaced-out groupie in Robert Altman's critically acclaimed 1975 ensemble comedy "Nashville." This role further cemented her status as a rising star in Hollywood.
1975: Shelley Duvall's Breakthrough Role in Robert Altman's "Nashville"
Shelley Duvall's breakthrough role came in 1975 with her performance as a spaced-out groupie in Robert Altman's critically acclaimed ensemble comedy "Nashville." The film's success further solidified her presence in Hollywood.
1976: Relationship with Paul Simon
While filming "Annie Hall" in New York in 1976, Shelley Duvall met and began a relationship with musician Paul Simon.
1976: Shelley Duvall Stars in PBS's Adaptation of "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" and Hosts "Saturday Night Live"
In 1976, Shelley Duvall took on the lead role of Bernice, a wealthy girl from Wisconsin, in PBS's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Bernice Bobs Her Hair." The same year, she also showcased her comedic timing as a host on "Saturday Night Live," appearing in various sketches throughout the episode.
1977: Shelley Duvall's Critically Acclaimed Performance in "3 Women"
In 1977, Shelley Duvall's performance as Mildred "Millie" Lammoreaux in Robert Altman's psychological thriller "3 Women" earned her widespread critical acclaim. Her portrayal of a woman navigating life in a dreary California desert town showcased her acting prowess and earned her the award for Best Actress at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival and a BAFTA nomination.
1977: Shelley Duvall's Award-Winning Performance in "3 Women"
Shelley Duvall garnered significant critical acclaim for her performance as Mildred "Millie" Lammoreaux in Robert Altman's 1977 psychological thriller "3 Women." The film's exploration of complex female relationships and Duvall's nuanced portrayal earned her the award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and a BAFTA nomination, solidifying her status as a talented and respected actress.
1980: Shelley Duvall's Challenging Role in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining"
In 1980, Shelley Duvall took on the demanding role of Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's psychological horror film "The Shining." The filming process proved to be intense and emotionally draining for Duvall, as Kubrick's meticulous directing style and demanding schedule pushed her to her limits. Despite the challenges, her performance as the terrified and vulnerable Wendy remains one of the most memorable aspects of the film.
1980: Shelley Duvall in "Popeye" and "The Shining"
Shelley Duvall took on two iconic roles in 1980, starring as Olive Oyl in Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of "Popeye" and as the deeply troubled Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's horror masterpiece "The Shining." These roles showcased her versatility and cemented her status as a prominent actress.
1981: Role in "Time Bandits" and Relationship with Stanley Wilson
In 1981, Shelley Duvall appeared in Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits" and was briefly linked to actor Stanley Wilson.
1981: Shelley Duvall Appears in Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits"
In 1981, Shelley Duvall appeared in Terry Gilliam's fantasy film "Time Bandits," expanding her filmography with a role in a unique and imaginative project.
1982: "Faerie Tale Theatre" Premiere and Involvement
Shelley Duvall launched her children's television program, "Faerie Tale Theatre," in 1982, serving as narrator, host, and executive producer.
1982: Shelley Duvall Creates and Hosts "Faerie Tale Theatre"
Venturing into television production, Shelley Duvall created and hosted the children's program "Faerie Tale Theatre" in 1982. The show ran until 1987, captivating audiences with its whimsical adaptations of classic fairy tales.
1983: Starring Roles in "Faerie Tale Theatre"
Shelley Duvall starred in episodes of "Faerie Tale Theatre," including "Rapunzel" and "The Nightingale," in 1983.
1984: Roles in "Frankenweenie" and "Booker"
Shelley Duvall appeared in Tim Burton's short film "Frankenweenie" and the television movie "Booker" in 1984.
1984: Continued Involvement in "Faerie Tale Theatre"
Shelley Duvall continued her involvement with "Faerie Tale Theatre," starring in the "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" episode in 1984.
1984: Shelley Duvall in Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie"
Shelley Duvall took on a role in Tim Burton's short comedy horror film "Frankenweenie" in 1984.
1985: Shelley Duvall Creates and Hosts "Tall Tales & Legends"
Continuing her work in children's television, Shelley Duvall created and hosted "Tall Tales & Legends" in 1985. This program, which ran until 1987, focused on adapting American folklore and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
1985: Creation of "Tall Tales & Legends" and Emmy Nomination
In 1985, Shelley Duvall created the anthology series "Tall Tales & Legends," earning her an Emmy nomination for her work.
1986: Final Starring Role in "Faerie Tale Theatre"
Shelley Duvall's final starring role in "Faerie Tale Theatre" was in the episode "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp" in 1986.
1987: Shelley Duvall Stars in the Comedy "Roxanne"
Shelley Duvall starred in the comedy "Roxanne" in 1987.
1987: Roles in "The Twilight Zone" and "Roxanne"
In 1987, Shelley Duvall guest-starred in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" and appeared in the comedy film "Roxanne" alongside Steve Martin.
1988: Founding of Think Entertainment
Shelley Duvall founded her own production company, Think Entertainment, in 1988 to develop television projects.
1988: Shelley Duvall Receives Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for "Tall Tales & Legends"
Shelley Duvall received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1988 for her work on the children's television program "Tall Tales & Legends." Her creation and hosting of the show, which adapted American folklore, earned her recognition for its quality and impact.
1989: Shelley Duvall Creates and Hosts "Nightmare Classics"
In 1989, Shelley Duvall created and hosted the television program "Nightmare Classics." This marked another addition to her work in television production, showcasing her interest in bringing literary classics to the screen.
1989: Relationship with Dan Gilroy
Shelley Duvall's relationship with musician Dan Gilroy commenced in 1989, lasting for the remainder of her life.
1989: Creation of "Nightmare Classics"
Think Entertainment, under Shelley Duvall's leadership, produced the horror anthology series "Nightmare Classics" for Showtime in 1989.
1990: Role in "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme"
Shelley Duvall took on the role of Little Bo Peep in the film "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme" in 1990.
1991: Film and Music Releases
Shelley Duvall starred in the film "Suburban Commando" and released two albums, "Hello, I'm Shelley Duvall... Sweet Dreams" and "Hello, I'm Shelley Duvall... Merry Christmas," in 1991.
1992: Partnership with Universal Family Entertainment and Emmy Nomination
Think Entertainment, Shelley Duvall's production company, partnered with Universal Family Entertainment in 1992, leading to the creation of "Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories," which earned her another Emmy nomination.
1993: Sale of Think Entertainment and Retirement from Producing
Shelley Duvall sold her production company, Think Entertainment, in 1993 and retired from her role as a producer.
1993: Delayed Release of "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues"
The film adaptation of "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," initially planned to star Shelley Duvall, was significantly delayed and ultimately released in 1993 with a different cast.
1994: Relocation to Texas and Decision to Retire
Following the Northridge earthquake in 1994, Shelley Duvall moved from Los Angeles back to her home state of Texas. The decision to move coincided with her work on the film "The Underneath," directed by Steven Soderbergh.
1994: Death of Shelley Duvall's Father, Robert Richardson Duvall
Robert Richardson "Bobby" Duvall, Shelley Duvall's father, passed away in 1994.
1995: Shelley Duvall Appears in Steven Soderbergh's "The Underneath"
In 1995, Shelley Duvall appeared in Steven Soderbergh's thriller "The Underneath." This marked a return to film acting after a period of focusing on television production.
1996: Role in "The Portrait of a Lady"
In 1996, Shelley Duvall appeared in Jane Campion's film adaptation of Henry James's novel "The Portrait of a Lady."
1996: Shelley Duvall in Jane Campion's "The Portrait of a Lady"
Shelley Duvall took on a supporting role in Jane Campion's adaptation of Henry James's "The Portrait of a Lady" in 1996, showcasing her acting abilities in a literary adaptation.
1998: Roles in "Home Fries", "Casper Meets Wendy", and "Tale of the Mummy"
Shelley Duvall appeared in the films "Home Fries," "Casper Meets Wendy," and "Tale of the Mummy" in 1998.
1999: Role in "The 4th Floor"
Shelley Duvall co-starred with Juliette Lewis in the horror film "The 4th Floor" in 1999.
2000: Roles in "Boltneck" and "Dreams in the Attic"
Shelley Duvall took on roles in the horror-comedy "Boltneck" and the unreleased Disney Channel film "Dreams in the Attic" in 2000.
2001: Jack Nicholson Discusses Working with Shelley Duvall on "The Shining"
In the 2001 documentary "Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures," actor Jack Nicholson reflected on his experiences working with Shelley Duvall and Stanley Kubrick during the making of "The Shining." Nicholson noted Kubrick's distinct directing style, acknowledging that the filmmaker treated Duvall differently than other actors on set.
2002: Role in "Manna from Heaven" and Hiatus
After appearing in the independent film "Manna from Heaven" in 2002, Shelley Duvall stepped back from acting and public life.
2002: Retirement from Acting
In 2002, Shelley Duvall retired from acting, marking the end of her 32-year career in the entertainment industry.
2002: Shelley Duvall's Final Film Role in "Manna from Heaven"
Shelley Duvall's final film role before her retirement from acting was in the 2002 movie "Manna from Heaven." This marked the end of her acting career, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.
November 2016: Controversial Interview on "Dr. Phil"
In November 2016, Shelley Duvall appeared on the "Dr. Phil" show, sparking widespread criticism and concern for her well-being. Many viewers and figures in the entertainment industry, including Vivian Kubrick and Mia Farrow, felt the interview exploited Duvall's vulnerable state.
2018: Reconnection with Director Lee Unkrich
Director Lee Unkrich, after seeing Duvall's "Dr. Phil" interview, was able to locate her in 2018. They formed a friendship, with Unkrich noting Duvall's continued pride in her acting career.
2019: Vulture Review of "The Shining"
In 2019, Vulture published a review of Shelley Duvall's performance in "The Shining", praising her portrayal of fear and vulnerability as a wife experiencing her husband's descent into madness.
2020: Death of Shelley Duvall's Mother, Bobbie Ruth Crawford
Bobbie Ruth Crawford, Shelley Duvall's mother, passed away in 2020.
February 2021: Interview with The Hollywood Reporter
In February 2021, Shelley Duvall was interviewed by Seth Abramovitch for The Hollywood Reporter. Duvall shared memories of her career, including her experiences filming "The Shining." The article countered the narrative from the "Dr. Phil" interview, portraying Duvall as articulate and reflective.
March 31, 2022: Golden Raspberry Award Nomination Rescinded
On March 31, 2022, the Razzie committee officially rescinded Shelley Duvall's nomination for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress for her role in "The Shining", acknowledging the impact of Stanley Kubrick's treatment of her during production.
October 2022: Return to Acting in "The Forest Hills"
In October 2022, Shelley Duvall's return to acting was announced with her casting in the independent horror film "The Forest Hills."
2022: Shelley Duvall Returns to Acting in "The Forest Hills"
After a 21-year hiatus, Shelley Duvall made a return to acting in the 2022 horror film "The Forest Hills." This marked her final film role and a return to the screen after a long period away from the public eye.
July 11, 2024: Death of Shelley Duvall
On July 11, 2024, Shelley Duvall passed away at the age of 75. Her contributions to film, especially her memorable roles, left a lasting impact on the industry.
July 2024: Shelley Duvall Passes Away at 75
Shelley Duvall died in July 2024 at the age of 75.