The American actress Shelley Duvall struggled with diabetes and other health problems and was bedridden for several months before her tragic death, which led to her significant weight loss.
Shelley Duvall passed away in her sleep shortly after midnight on July 11, 2024, at her home in Blanco, Texas. She was 75 years old. The cause of her death was complications from diabetes.
At 75, she was managing diabetes and schizoaffective disorder, a mental health condition. The strain from both her illness and mental health struggles contributed to her weight loss.
Additionally, she faced mobility issues due to a foot injury. With limited mobility, the physical activity of Shelley Duvall decreased, leading to muscle atrophy and weight loss.
Nevertheless, throughout her legendary career, Shelley Duvall had always managed her weight. She would gain or lose weight as needed for different roles, which raised concerns when her weight changed drastically.
Shelley Duvall says, ‘I’m sick. I need help,’ on the Dr. Phil show!
Shelley Duvall’s struggle with schizoaffective disorder became widely known after her appearance on the Dr. Phil show in 2016. She appeared in the episode titled “A Hollywood Star’s Descent Into Mental Illness: Saving The Shining’s Shelley Duvall.“
During the interview, she displayed distressing symptoms of her mental health condition, including delusions and hallucinations. She believed the late Robin Williams was alive and spoke about ‘alien implants’ in her leg.
After her appearance on Dr. Phil, the show faced backlash for airing the interview without her partner, Dan Gilroy’s knowledge. He only found out about it days later and felt it portrayed her in a negative light.
I understand why people are posting pictures primarily from the height of Shelley Duvall's heyday, but, she was a complex, vibrant and accomplished woman right up to now and that's worth sharing, too! pic.twitter.com/EMixQAWCL5
— Lakyn Thee Stylist (@OgLakyn) July 11, 2024
Meanwhile, following the destruction of her Los Angeles home in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Shelley and Dan moved from California to Texas in hopes of finding a happier life.
Initially, life in Texas was ‘terrific,’ but things took a turn as Shelley became paranoid and delusional. She started fearing attacks and sought protection from neighbors and even the FBI.
Despite these challenges, Shelley celebrated her 74th birthday in 2023 and continued to find joy in small pleasures such as music and the Texas weather. In the last known photo of her, she posed with a superfan.
Knowing that Shelley Duvall met her current partner Dan Gilroy on set of her movie Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme in 1989 comforts me. pic.twitter.com/PGjq8naxCz
— Shelley Duvall Archive (@shelleyduvallxo) November 8, 2023
Her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “She’s gone after much suffering, which I guess is a good thing. After 34 years… I can’t tell you how much I miss her.“
She celebrated her 75th birthday just four days before she passed away. In her final days, she was surrounded by loved ones and fans who cherished her legacy.
Additional Information
- Shelley Alexis Duvall was born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, United States.
- Director Robert Altman discovered her, and he was impressed with her upbeat presence. He collaborated with her on multiple projects.
- Her breakthrough role was in “Nashville,” and later, she appeared in “3 Women,” which earned her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.
- Before dating Dan Gilroy, she was married to Bernard Sampson from 1970 to 1974. She was also in a relationship with Paul Simon from 1976 to 1978.
