'She is free’: Shelley Duvall’s partner Dan Gilroy pens sweet tribute on her death after 'much suffering'
FORT WORTH, TEXAS: Shelley Duvall, renowned for her iconic role in 'The Shining', has died at 75 from diabetes complications.
Her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed her peaceful death in her Texas home. "My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley," Gilroy shared in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
When and how did Shelley Duvall and Dan Gilroy meet?
Duvall and Gilroy's enduring relationship began over 30 years ago on the set of a Disney film. Their bond grew as they collaborated on the Disney Channel movie 'Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme', where Gilroy played Gordon Goose and Duvall portrayed Little Bo Peep. They eventually moved to Texas, living together until Duvall's death.
How and when did Dan Gilroy meet Madonna?
Before meeting Duvall, Dan Gilroy had an intriguing music career. In 1979, he formed a band The Breakfast Club in New York City with his brother Ed and bassist Angie Smit.
The band's lineup once included Madonna, who played drums and briefly dated Gilroy before taking on lead vocals. Madonna left to start her band, Emmy and the Emmys, and The Breakfast Club achieved their biggest hit in 1987 with 'Right On Track' earning a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1988.
Gilroy's music career continued to evolve, and in 2016, The Breakfast Club released a new album featuring tracks from their unreleased second album. His relationship with Duvall began in 1989, marking a significant shift from his music career to a lasting partnership with the actress.
Controversial appearance on 'Dr Phil'
Shelley Duvall's exit from Hollywood in 2002 was a turning point influenced by her experiences with the industry.
In a recent New York Times interview, she revealed, "I was a star; I had leading roles. People think it's just aging, but it's not. It's violence."
Her struggles with mental illness were also publicly discussed during a controversial 2016 appearance on 'Dr Phil'. She mentioned that this interview intended to revive her career but instead portrayed her unfavorably and exploited her challenges.
In November 2016, in a distressing appearance on an episode of 'Dr Phil', Duvall revealed her struggles with mental illness, stating, “I am very sick. I need help.”
Four years later, The Hollywood Reporter's Seth Abramovitch visited her, resulting in a memorable story that further shed light on her condition.
Duvall's career thrived before she left Hollywood for Texas in the mid-1990s. She was a versatile actress and the head of her own production company, Think Entertainment, which produced a star-studded, innovative children's programs for cable television, earning her two Emmy Award nominations.
Her journey into acting began in her hometown of Houston, where she was discovered by Robert Altman's staff while she was attending junior college. She was persuaded to take a screen test, leading to her onscreen debut as a teenage seductress and Astrodome tour guide Suzanne Davis in 'Brewster McCloud' (1970).
