'The Shining' Star Shelley Duvall Is 'Unrecognizable' without Makeup & Botox after She Sacrificed Ca

June 2024 · 5 minute read

Shelley Duvall became an internationally recognized actress after starring in the blockbuster horror film based on a Stephen King novel, "The Shining." Following her success in the 80s hit film, Duvall went on to star in countless popular films, including "Popeye" and the famous movie "Annie Hall."

Although Duvall's shrill screams and terrified visage made "The Shining" an iconic horror film, the role of Wendy Torrance took a massive toll on the actress. She recalled it being the most challenging role she had ever portrayed, admitting director Stanley Kubrick's vision for the film eventually led her down a dark path.

Shelley Duvall in "The Shining," 1980 | Source: Getty Images

Kubrick has always been known for his extreme requirements and insistence that his scenes be as convincing as possible. To achieve this during "The Shining," the director demanded that Duvall be kept in a constant state of stress. He got the authenticity he sought, but Duvall was never the same again.

After working in Hollywood since 1970, Duvall eventually decided to step out of the spotlight in 2002.

Kubrick would harangue Duvall about everything, constantly keeping her on her toes and never complimenting her work. The other actors were even told not to sympathize with her, and by the end of the film, even her co-star Jack Nicholson admitted she had the toughest role he had ever seen.

Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Jack Nicholson in "The Shining," 1980 | Source: Getty Images

From the memorable baseball-bat scene, where Nicholson's character stalks his wife, to the famous bathroom-door scene, where Nicholson's character hacks through a wooden door with an axe, the filming was filled with terror. Through it all, Duvall was often kept oblivious to what was happening and was frequently genuinely terrified.

What Were the Family Problems That Made Shelley Duvall Leave Hollywood amid Her Popularity?

Although Duvall continued making movies after working with Kubrick, her mental health slowly degraded over the years. She spoke up about her experience making the famous horror film and admitted that while Kubrick was harsh, his direction undoubtedly made the film the masterpiece it is.

Duvall admitted to McGraw that she's struggling with her mental health.

After working in Hollywood since 1970, Duvall eventually decided to step out of the spotlight in 2002. Although her mental health played a role, the actress also complained that show business often paid actresses less than their male equivalents. In the 90s, she was also offered fewer and fewer roles.

Shelley Duvall in "Lily," 1986 | Source: Getty Images

Eventually, she decided to call it quits after her brother was diagnosed with spinal cancer. After hearing the news of her brother's disease, the once-popular actress packed her things and moved back to her home in Texas. So, in 2002, Duvall left the limelight behind her to reconnect with her family. She commented:

"It's the longest sabbatical I ever took, but it was for really important reasons—to get in touch with my family again."

Duvall spent 20 years away from Hollywood, living in her small hometown in the Texas Hill Country. While many locals are aware of her, few really know that the friendly old woman was once one of the most famous faces in Hollywood. However, Duvall is planning on stepping back into the public eye.

Shelley Duvall on December 2, 1995 at Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

After two decades away from the silver screen, Duvall has once again decided to return to what she loves. After the director, Scott Goldberg, called her in 2022 and asked if she had any interest in appearing in one of his films, "The Forest Hills," she decided the time was ripe to make a comeback. Now, her love for acting has been reignited.

"I'm Very Sick, I Need Help": Shelley Duvall about Her Current Life after Criticism about Her Appearance

Although Duvall hopes to get back into acting, she has opened up about her mental health in the past. In 2016, the actress sat down with the television psychologist Dr. Phill McGraw in an exclusive interview on his show, "Dr. Phill." During the interview, Duvall spoke about her life and her psychological struggles.

Duvall admitted to McGraw that she's struggling with her mental health. When asked by McGraw whether she was doing fine, she mentioned, "Damned if I do, damned if I don't. If I say I'm healthy, first thing they'll do is hurt me tonight." She also implied that workers at the bank intended to hurt her.

Duvall also spoke about her late "Popeye" co-star, Robin Williams. She mentioned that she loved him very much. However, she commented that she didn't believe he was dead, saying, "I don't think he's dead. [He's] shape-shifting. He looks real good in some forms; in other forms he doesn't."

When McGraw asked whether Duval saw Williams after his death, the actress responded that she had seen him occasionally, in various forms. That said, she also admitted that her mental state had been degrading and commented heart-wrenchingly, "I'm very sick, I need help."

Fans responded to the video, outraged at McGraw for what they considered the exploitation of a mentally unwell former icon. One fan commented, "It breaks my heart to see this he just humiliated her on tv." Many people took to Twitter to criticize McGraw, including Kubrick's daughter:

"Your exploitive use of Shelly Duvall is a form of LURID ENTERTAINMENT and is shameful. You are putting Shelly Duvall 'on show' while she is suffering from a pitiable state of ill health. Unquestionably, this is purely a form of lurid and exploitive entertainment — it's appallingly cruel."

Another fan said of Duvall, "This man just humiliated her and it makes me sick." Although some mentioned she looked "unrecognizable," many supported the actress after she announced she's acting again. One user commented, "So lovely to see Shelley Duvall back to her old self and working on Horror movies again."

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