The actress behind one of the most iconic Horror characters of all time has passed away. Shelley Duvall, known for portraying Wendy Torrance in 1980’s The Shining, passed away this morning due to diabetes complications. A beacon of versatile light and talent, Duvall created and executive produced her very own Horror anthology series - Shelley Duvall’s Nightmare Classics. Her other Horror credits include The Twilight Zone and Tim Burton’s original Frankenweenie short.
Duvall’s mental health struggles were the subject of a controversial 2021 Dr. Phil episode, which critics deemed as exploitative. The actress’ strenuous time under Stanley Kubrick’s direction on The Shining has led to many conversations about industry power dynamics. Kubrick infamously isolated Duvall and required she film her iconic bathroom scene (“Here’s Johnny!”) 127 times. As the film industry navigates new policies for fair treatment, Duvall’s career serves as a reminder to protect performers’ mental health.
