'The Shining' actor Shelley Duvall dies aged 75

Shelley Duvall, the versatile actor known for her role in "The Shining" and collaboration with director Robert Altman, died Thursday aged 75.

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 and captivated audiences, 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."

Her career was defined by her work with Altman, who she said she kept coming back to 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."

In a 1977 interview Altman praised Duvall for being able "to swing all sides of the pendulum: charming, silly, sophisticated, pathetic — even beautiful."

  'She's free'

But it was her work on the 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Shining" that would become her highest profile role, which she played opposite Jack Nicholson.

Director Stanley Kubrick put her through the ringer 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 has...