Shelley Duvall, the versatile actress known for her role in The Shining and for her long collaboration with the director Robert Altman, has died aged 75, reported AFP. 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. The saucer-eyed actress developed a broad repertoire, and went 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.

But it was her role in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining that would become one of her highest profile roles, as she played opposite Jack Nicholson. She performed the part of Wendy Torrance in the horror classic that sees a writer husband descend into homicidal madness and terrorise his wife and young son. "My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she's free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley," The Hollywood Reporter quoted Gilroy as saying.