Shelley Duvall, ‘Popeye’ Star, Dead At 75

Shelley Duvall dies at age 75

Shelley Duvall, the iconic star of films like Popeye, The Shining, and more, has died at age 75.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Duvall died in her sleep due to complications from diabetes. The news was shared by her life partner Dan Gilroy. She passed away at her home in Blanco, Texas.

Born July 7, 1949 in Texas, Duvall rose to stardom thanks to her turn as Olive Oyl in Robert Altman’s 1980, live-action version of Popeye, with Robin Williams taking on the title character. That same year, she appeared as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, a role that would reportedly haunt her for years afterward. A year later she appeared in Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits, Tim Burton’s short film version of Frankenweenie, and opposite Steve Martin in Roxanne.

Beyond her film career, she was a big advocate of children’s television, creating and hosting the shows Faerie Tale TheatreTall Tales & Legends, and more.

Later in life she dealt with some serious health issues — both mental and physical. Her last on-screen appearance was 2023’s The Forest Hills, where she played Rico’s Mother.

You can watch Duvall perform “He’s Large” from Popeye, below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRUa_E1CugU

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