Actress Shelley Duvall (73) was only 21 years old when she was discovered by a couple of talent hunters.
In the years that followed, a brilliant acting career followed, and in 1980 Duvall appeared in her most memorable role, namely as mother Wendy Torrance in the film “The Hotel of Evil”.
Horrific discovery
The film influenced Duvall for a long time, and she has been open several times about the psychological problems she went through during filming.
In 2002, there was a sudden silence from the iconic actor, and it would be almost 15 years before you caught a glimpse of her again.
What made her withdraw completely has long been uncertain. Now, however, Duvall takes the blade from his mouth.
Long leave
Duvall’s long hiatus from the limelight fueled a sea of rumors and speculation surrounding her mental health.
In a recent interview with People the actor told about when the film offers started to decline.
Had to intervene
At the beginning of the 2000s, the brother was diagnosed with spinal cord cancer. Duvall packed up his things and moved back to Texas to be with his family.
– It is the longest leave I have taken, but it was for important reasons. I had to reconnect with my family again, she tells People.
After living for several years among the celebrities in Hollywood, the 73-year-old realized that she needed a break.
Now she is finally ready to dust off her old skills.
This year sees the release of her first film in over 20 years, “The Forest Hills”.
To People, Duvall does not hide that she is optimistic about the comeback.
– Jessica Tandy won an Oscar when she was 80 years old, so I still have plenty of time.
Controversial interview
It was in 2002 that Duvall starred in the film “Manna from Heaven”. After this she withdrew, and it would be several years before she was seen again.
– Looked stupid
After 14 years away from the limelight, Duvall appeared on “Dr. Phil” in 2016. The interview shocked TV viewers and garnered massive criticism.
The 73-year-old was unrecognizable, and during the interview it became obvious that she was struggling mentally.
Among other things, she insisted that Robin Williams – whom she played against in “Skipper’n” (1980) and who committed suicide in 2014 – was still alive.
The late master director Stanley Kubrick’s daughter, Vivian Kubrick, called the interview “gruesome and exploitative entertainment.”
