9 Shelley Duvall Roles That Prove She Was One of a Kind
“Hello, I’m Shelley Duvall.” With those words, actress and producer Shelley Duvall welcomed a generation of children into the world of Faerie Tale Theatre. But on July 11, 2024, we lost that gentle voice and one of cinema’s most authentic talents.
Duvall was far more than just a horror icon or a Robert Altman muse. She possessed a screen presence that felt simultaneously fragile and indomitable.
Today, I’m revisiting my 2024 TikTok to pay tribute once again to Duvall’s most memorable roles. From the chilling halls of the Overlook Hotel to the comic-strip docks of Sweethaven, here are nine essential Shelley Duvall performances you need to watch.
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1. Thieves Like Us (1974)
First up is Keechie in Thieves Like Us. Duvall’s performance in this Robert Altman classic showcased her early talent and set the stage for more leading roles. Set in 1930s Mississippi, the film follows a trio of escaped convicts. But the heart of the story lies in the tender, doomed romance between Duvall’s Keechie and Keith Carradine’s Bowie. It’s a subtle, naturalistic performance that proved she could hold the screen with quiet intensity.
2. Faerie Tale Theatre (1982)
Next, we have Faerie Tale Theatre. Duvall wasn’t just an actress here. She was the creative force behind this children’s series, presenting classic fairy tales to a whole generation. As both host and executive producer, she pulled in massive stars like Robin Williams, Mick Jagger, and Carrie Fisher to act out these stories, creating a whimsical and slightly surreal anthology that remains a nostalgic goldmine for ’80s kids.
3. Popeye (1980)
In Popeye, Duvall brought the beloved comic strip character Olive Oyl to life with her quirky charm and comedic timing. It was a role she was born to play, and she knocked it out of the park opposite Robin Williams. While the film itself was polarizing at the time, Duvall’s physical embodiment of the character—from her gangly movements to her voice—is nothing short of perfection. It’s a performance that leaves me smiling from ear to ear every time I watch it.
4. 3 Women (1977)
Then there’s 3 Women, a mysterious psychological drama anchored by the acting range of Duvall and Sissy Spacek. Duvall earned critical acclaim for her role, winning Best Actress at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival. The film is a dreamlike exploration of shifting identities in a dusty California desert town, and watching Duvall’s transformation from a chatty outcast into a dominant figure is mesmerizing.
5. The Shining (1980)
No one who’s seen it can forget Duvall as Wendy Torrance in The Shining. Her chilling performance in Stanley Kubrick’s trippy Stephen King adaptation is unforgettable and cemented her status as a horror icon. Sure, Jack Nicholson gets the famous lines. But it’s Duvall’s portrayal of sheer escalating terror that carries the film’s emotional weight, giving us that experience of pure panic.
6. Annie Hall (1977)
Of course, Duvall made a lasting impression in several other films, including Annie Hall. Her screen time as Pam, a Rolling Stone reporter who briefly dates Alvy Singer, is short. Yet, she steals the scene with her memorable monologue about the Rosicrucians and “bad vibes.” It’s a funny snapshot of ’70s counterculture that highlights Duvall’s effortless ability to deliver dry comedy.
7. Nashville (1975)
Robert Altman’s Nashville is a sprawling masterpiece that can admittedly give you whiplash on the first watch. But once you settle into the rhythm of its overlapping storylines, Duvall’s LA Joan becomes impossible to ignore. Playing a spaced-out groupie more interested in chasing musicians than visiting her dying aunt, she offers a performance that is tragic, hilarious, and mesmerizingly vacant. It’s a role that demands a rewatch to fully appreciate.
8. Time Bandits (1981)
I also have fond memories of Duvall in Time Bandits. In Terry Gilliam’s fantasy adventure, she appears as a recurring damsel in distress who appears across different eras, always paired with Michael Palin. Whether they’re on the sinking Titanic or in a grimy medieval forest, Duvall plays the melodrama straight, which makes the absurdity of the situation even funnier. It’s a small role, but her chemistry with Palin provides one of the film’s best running gags.
9. Frankenweenie (1984)
I used to have this recorded on a VHS tape as a kid, and it was always a favorite. Long before the 2012 stop-motion remake, Frankenweenie was a live-action short. Duvall plays Susan Frankenstein, the young scientist’s supportive mother. She brings a unique warmth to the role that grounds Tim Burton’s early weirdness. That was the magic of Shelley Duvall—she commanded the screen, no matter the size of the part.
Looking for more classic movies?
If you’re ready to dive back into these classics, you’ll need a streaming service that values film history. We recommend checking out HBO Max, which hosts the Warner Bros. classics mentioned here.
