5 greatest Shelley Duvall performances of all time

Shelley Duvall in The Shining (Image via Youtube/Warner Bros. Entertainment)

Shelley Duvall, the star of iconic films The Shining (1980), Annie Hall (1977), among others, breathed her last on July 11, 2024, in Blanco, Texas, just a few days after her 75th birthday.

The legendary actress died in her sleep, of complications from diabetes. Dan Gilroy, her partner since 1989, told The Hollywood Reporter:

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”

Here are five Shelley Duvall performances that we think best showcase the acting prowess of the artist.

5 greatest Shelley Duvall performances

1) The Shining (1980)

This Stanley Kubrick film, based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name, is often hailed as one of the greatest psychological horrors of all time. Shelley Duvall’s performance as Wendy Torrance is one of the highlights of the movie.

As the wife of an alcoholic man (Jack Nicholson) who is spiraling deeper and deeper into a psychological abyss, Shelley has to portray a host of emotions in the film, starting from submissiveness to a quiet alarm, finally to a full-blown hysteria. The actress paints these emotions with nuance and intensity in equal measures, and the result is a performance worthy of the highest praise.

The film is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

2) Thieves Like Us (1974)

A still from the movie (Image via United Artists)

This 1974 crime film, directed by Robert Altman, is set in the US in the 1930s. Altman and Shelley Duvall were frequent collaborators and in this film, the actress plays Keechie.

The role of Keechie seems simple enough but the performance of Shelley takes it to new heights altogether. As the girlfriend of a man who cannot free himself from the world of crime, Keechie’s character has a sort of realism to it that Duvall can bring out with convincing ease.

The last moments of the film see Keechie waiting for a train to go somewhere where she could have her baby. Her boyfriend has just been killed. The pain and a sense of anticipation for an unknown future are expertly depicted by Duvall. This film can be streamed on Vudu.

3) Nashville (1975)

Shalley Duvall in Nashville (Image via Youtube/Lion's Gate Films)

This satirical musical drama features a large ensemble cast, including David Arkin, Barbara Baxley, Ned Beatty, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Timothy Brown, and Jeff Goldblum. Despite her small role, Shelley Duvall stands out as Martha, also known as LA Joan, an obnoxious, heartless, free-thinking woman with a distinct fashion sense.

Martha visits her dying aunt but pursues every man who interests her. Duvall plays this loud character with ample humor. You can stream this film on Amazon Prime Video.

4) 3 Women (1977)

Shelley Duvall’s performance as Millie Lammoreaux in this Robert Altman movie is perhaps her best, and it won her the best actress award at Cannes. Here she plays a health spa worker who cannot stop talking.

Duvall lends extraordinary pathos and poise to this talkative character. She is constantly talking either to herself or to the room or her co-worker Mildred "Pinky" Rose (Sissy Spacek). Even the content of her talks is filled with conspiracy theories, delusions, and others, and Duvall plays this tricky character with an effortless charm.

Further, there are certain mannerisms of Millie’s that Duvall portrays to perfection. You can stream this film on Apple TV+.

5) Popeye (1980)

A still from the movie (Image via Paramount Pictures)

Acting as a main character in a musical is no easy task, but Shelley Duvall delivers a memorable performance as Olive Oyl in this Robert Altman film (the seventh and last collaboration between the two). Opposite a spectacular Robin Williams as Popeye, Duvall’s performance is energetic and dynamic, singing, dancing and doing everything in between.

The commanding screen presence of the actress becomes particularly noticeable in this film, and the actress plays this peculiar character with an exaggerated awkwardness, while also bringing out the vulnerable shades of the character. This movie is available for streaming on Apple TV+.