This is a huge shocker for everyone! Actress Shelley Duvall, who played opposite Jack Nicholson in “The Shining,” and Olive Oil role with Robin Williams in “Popeye,” is in a place where few Americans ever want to go. Duvall is going through mental illness, which causes her to venture into another reality more times than she wants to go.
I’ve loved Shelley’s movie performances, and I am shocked by her appearance and revelation of her mental illness.
This saddens me. She’s been living in isolation and not getting treatment for her mental illness. So sad that she and so many others are suffering like this.
Perhaps she can get help now.
From Popcrush:
Shelley Duvall, star of The Shining, Popeye and Faerie Tale Theatre, is unrecognizable in a jarring new interview with Dr. Phil. Not “unrecognizable” in that age-shaming way that Hollywood actresses over 40 get for growing biologically older, but in the fact that she appears to be in the throes of battle with mental illness that’s also taken a toll on her health. That battle is placed front and center in a new and somewhat exploitative-feeling sit-down with the onetime Oprah regular.
“From red carpet to near recluse,” a lurid voiceover says in the teaser clip, as vintage footage of the once willowy actress dissolves into a photograph of a very different Shelley Duvall in 2016.
“I loved Robin Williams,” Duvall says of her 1980 Popeye costar (Shelley played his love Olive Oyl).
“Where do you think he is?” Dr. Phil asks, though it’s hard to imagine he and his producers aren’t already anticipating a delusional answer that will rivet viewers.
“Shapeshifting,” she replies.
“Do you see him?” Dr. Phil responds, to which she replies, “Half, yes.”
Duvall also shares apparent delusions that she was threatened by a man who is the “Sheriff of Nottingham” and, hardest to hear of all, “I think there’s a whirring disk inside me.”
Dr. Phil replies to her declaration that she’s “very sick” and “needs help” with a paternal, “Well that’s why I’m here.” While mental illness should never be further stigmatized by concealing one’s battle with it out of shame and there may be some value in the visibility of publicly asking for help, is that “help” best conducted onscreen?
I feel for how lonely so many people are – how did we turn into the world where no one checks in on each other? I know it was never Mayberry, but I feel terrible thinking of how much isolation folks experience. I hope she gets help – equally important, her courage to show the public what’s happening may help many others who have struggled alone with no one reaching out.
I pray that she is able to get help, and nobody embarrasses her, or exploits her. At least show her THAT much respect.
Do you suffer from an invisible illness or do you know someone who does? Is enough being done in this country to help those who are mentally ill? Share this story on your Facebook/Twitter page.
