Shelley Duvall, star of The Shining, has died

New York, New York - Shelley Duvall, the versatile actor known for her role in The Shining and working relationship with director Robert Altman, died Thursday aged 75.

Shelley Duvall, the versatile actor known for her role in The Shining, died Thursday aged 75.
Shelley Duvall, the versatile actor known for her role in The Shining, died Thursday aged 75.  © Collage: IMAGO / Cinema Publishers Collection & Everett Collection

Citing her partner Dan Gilroy, The Hollywood Reporter said Duvall died in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas, following complications of diabetes.

Born July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, Duvall was discovered by Altman – the maverick filmmaker known for his rich characters, sharp social criticism, and keen satire – who cast her in 1970's dark comedy Brewster McCloud.

The saucer-eyed actor developed a broad repertoire, breaking through with 1975's Nashville and going on to portray memorable and eccentric characters that earned her a smattering of awards, including at Cannes for her role in the acclaimed 1977 drama 3 Women.

Taylor Swift skips Chiefs vs. Bills game – here's why!
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift skips Chiefs vs. Bills game – here's why!

Her career was defined by her work with Altman, who she said she kept working with because "he offers me damn good roles."

"None of them have been alike," she told The New York Times in 1977. "He has a great confidence in me, and a trust and respect for me, and he doesn't put any restrictions on me or intimidate me, and I love him."

But it was her role in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining that would become one of her highest profile roles, as she played opposite Jack Nicholson.

Shelley Duvall's partner confirms her death: "Fly away, beautiful Shelley"

Shelley Duvall's (l.) role in 1980's The Shining opposite Jack Nicholson is one of her highest profile roles.
Shelley Duvall's (l.) role in 1980's The Shining opposite Jack Nicholson is one of her highest profile roles.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Director Stanley Kubrick put her through the wringer to perform the part of Wendy Torrance in the horror classic that sees a writer husband descend into homicidal madness and terrorize his wife and young son.

Duvall told PEOPLE in 1981 that the 13-month job was grueling and that Kubrick had her "crying 12 hours a day for weeks on end."

"I will never give that much again. If you want to get into pain and call it art, go ahead, but not with me."

Kylie Jenner convinces "terrified" Khloé Kardashian to face fear of new piercing
Kylie Jenner Kylie Jenner convinces "terrified" Khloé Kardashian to face fear of new piercing

In one famous scene, Nicholson's character tortures Duvall's with a baseball bat, which reportedly took 127 takes to satisfy Kubrick.

Duvall also made a cameo in 1977's Annie Hall by Woody Allen and played opposite Robin Williams in Altman's 1980 live-action rendition of Popeye.

Later in the 1980s, she made her way into children's programming.

Gilroy – a musician who was part of the Breakfast Club and had dated Madonna – was her longtime partner after the pair met on the 1990 Disney Channel Movie Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme.

"My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she's free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley," The Hollywood Reporter quoted Gilroy as saying.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / Cinema Publishers Collection & Everett Collection

More on Celebrities: