Shelley Duvall was an American actress best known for her iconic role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film The Shining, had a net worth of $500,000 at the time of her passing on July 11 at the age of 75. Despite a prolific acting career that spanned more than five decades and made her one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses, her wealth was relatively modest.
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Shelley Duvall Net Worth At The Time She Died
Her net worth, estimated at $500,000, highlights the financial challenges many actors face despite their remarkable careers, emphasizing the need for fair compensation and recognition in the entertainment industry.
What Happened To Shelley’s Wealth?
Shelley Duvall’s wealth suffered significantly over the years. Between the 1970s and 1980s, she reportedly lost over $1.3 million on poker and Vegas parties. After her marriage collapsed in just four years, Duvall turned to drugs, and those around her took advantage of her vulnerable state. Close friends swindled approximately $1 million of her earnings, further depleting her financial resources.
Shelley Duvall’s Early Life
Shelley Duvall was born on July 7, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Bobbie Ruth Crawford and Robert Duvall (unrelated to the actor). Her father transitioned from a cattle auctioneer to a lawyer, while her mother was a real estate broker. Growing up with three younger brothers, the family eventually settled in Houston when she was five. An energetic and academically gifted child, Duvall graduated with straight A’s from Waltrip High School in 1967.
She then studied nutrition and diet therapy at South Texas Junior College while working at Foley’s department store selling cosmetics
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About Her Career
In 1970, Shelley Duvall married artist Bernard Sampson and hosted a party where director Robert Altman discovered her, leading to her debut in “Brewster McCloud.” Duvall appeared in several of Altman’s films, including “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971), “Thieves Like Us” (1974), and “Nashville” (1975). Her breakthrough came in 1977 with Altman’s “3 Women,” earning her the Best Actress award at Cannes.
Duvall starred as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980), a role that later became iconic. She also played Olive Oyl in Altman’s “Popeye” (1980). In the 1980s, she transitioned to producing, creating “Faerie Tale Theatre” (1982-1987) and “Tall Tales & Legends” (1985), earning an Emmy nomination. She continued producing with “Nightmare Classics” (1989) and “Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories” (1992), which earned her another Emmy nomination.
Duvall founded Think Entertainment in 1988, producing several children’s series, and later created “Mrs. Piggle Wiggle” before retiring from producing. She continued acting in guest roles in films like “The Portrait of a Lady” (1996) and “Home Fries” (1998) before retiring in 2002. Shelley Duvall has since remained largely out of the public eye.
The Lifestyle
Shelley Duvall, known for her roles in The Shining and Popeye, now lives in a small one-bedroom apartment, a stark contrast to her former mansion in Los Angeles’s Benedict Canyon. In the 1970s and 1980s, Duvall’s sprawling estate featured multiple bedrooms, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a guesthouse, hosting famous guests like Ashley Judd and Martin Scorsese.
As her net worth dwindled, Duvall moved to Texas in the 1990s, where she has lived ever since. She has openly discussed her mental health struggles and prefers a more modest lifestyle.
