Farewell to Shelley Duvall, horror icon and immortal IT girl

Shelley Duvall has passed away at the age of 75. The Shining actress had been away from the spotlight for a long time (her last film was released in 2002) and, according to The New York Times, which dedicated an article to her last April, she was about to make a comeback, naturally with a horror film. Her decision to pursue other interests and her near-reclusion did not stop her from becoming an icon and a legend during her lifetime. Her face still features prominently in mood boards and style inspiration, and it's impossible not to think of her look with tufted eyelashes, in full Seventies style.

Shelley Duvall's Career and the Behind-the-Scenes of The Shining

Duvall achieved international fame in the 1970s thanks to her performances in Robert Altman films such as Brewster McCloud, Nashville, and 3 Women, for which she won an award at the Cannes Film Festival. Her most iconic role was undoubtedly that of Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining in 1980. According to some reports, the experience on set was very tough, intense, and emotionally taxing, almost traumatic. However, some more recent interviews presented a different perspective, depicting her choice to leave the scene as serene and conscious, essentially free. Not many know, but in the 1980s, she created, hosted, and produced the children's television series Faerie Tale Theatre.

Shelley Duvall Today: Social Networks and Mood Boards

The way she introduced herself in each episode of this children's series has recently gone viral on TikTok. On the video-sharing platform, the actress is fondly remembered, and her iconic look and her choice of different, unique, and challenging roles are highly regarded. Among the most affectionate posts are those from user Sarah Lukowski, who runs a Twitter account called Shelley Duvall Archive. The two women met on several occasions and became friends, with Sarah often recounting afternoons spent together. It’s a sweet way to appreciate and remember an unforgettable face of cinema, who continues to inspire us every day, aesthetically and beyond.