Shelley Duvall is famed for her terrifying but remarkably talented portrayal of Wendy Torrance in the 1980 horror classic, The Shining.
Duvall played Jack Nicholson’s character Jack’s long-suffering wife, who was terrorised by the maniac writer as they stayed in a secluded hotel called The Overlook.
The American-born actress is also known for her role as Olive Oyl in the live-action version of Popeye in 1980.
Her performance as Wendy has earned Duvall legendary status in Hollywood. But it came at a huge price.
READ MORE: Gogglebox UK and Celebrity Big Brother star dies aged 40
Sadly, in the decades following her stand-out performance in The Shining, Duvall has spoken out about her harsh treatment on set by director Stanley Kubrick.
The 1980 film took 56 weeks to produce and holds a Guinness World Record for “the most retakes for one scene with dialogue”.
Duvall has said her mental health was severely impacted during filming.
READ MORE: Glee star Lea Michele is expecting her second baby
“It’s the most difficult role I’ve ever had to play,” Duval said in the book The Complete Kubrick.
“From May until October, I was really in and out of ill health because the stress of the role was so great. Stanley pushed me and prodded me further than I’ve ever been pushed before.”
Reports have claimed Kubrick “bullied” Duvall on-set and treated her differently to other actors.
The actress recalled gruelling, 15-hour days filming the horror scenes. Her hands were even left raw and shredded from holding a bat for such a long period of time.
Disney star Bridgit Mendler reveals shock career change
“I had to cry 12 hours a day, all day long, the last nine months straight, five or six days a week,” Duvall told Roger Ebert in 1980.
“I was there a year and a month, and there must be something to primal scream therapy, because after the day was over and I’d cried for my 12 hours, I went home very contented.
“It had a very calming effect. During the day I would have been absolutely miserable.”
READ MORE: Aussie musician’s warning after iconic festival cancelled
After the release of The Shining, Duvall continued working as an actress for around 22 years.
In 2002, after 32 years in the business, she decided to permanently retire from acting.
She did, however, briefly return to the spotlight in 2023 for a role in the indie horror film Forest Hills.
“Acting again, it’s so much fun. It enriches your life,” Duvall said in an interview with People. “Jessica Tandy won an Oscar when she was 80. I can still win.”
Now mostly reclusive, Duvall is rarely seen and has not conducted a television interview since 2016.
That year, Duvall appeared in a controversial interview with Dr Phil, where she spoke about her poor mental health.
READ MORE: Top rated and reviewed air fryers on Amazon under $150
Five years later, in 2021, she spoke about her regret over appearing on the show.
“I found out the kind of person he is the hard way,” Duvall told The Hollywood Reporter.
“My mother didn’t like him, either. A lot of people, like Dan, said, ‘You shouldn’t have done that, Shelley.'”
After leaving Hollywood behind, Duvall, aged 74, now resides in Texas with her partner Dan Gilroy.
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Men’s Helpline on 1300 78 99 78 or in case of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
#celeb #celebrity
