Shelley Duvall first resurfaced in 2016, when she was contacted by producers for Dr. Phil McGraw’s daytime talk show. The series aired a single episode featuring a highly distressed Duvall before she cut off all contact with representatives connected to “Dr. Phil.” Duvall and her family accused McGraw’s people of taking advantage of her tragic true life story. “I found out the kind of person he is the hard way,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
A series of profiles led to Duvall being coaxed back into the moviemaking world one more time before her passing. She landed a part in the horror film “The Forest Hills,” which premiered in 2023 but is still seeking distribution. There’s no word as to who she played in the movie, but Duvall told People that she was proud of the role. “Acting again — it’s so much fun. It enriches your life.”
Even to the end, Duvall hoped to continue her acting career. “[Jessica Tandy] won an Oscar when she was 80. I can still win,” she told People, winking at the prospect. While that may be a dream deferred, the world will soon see how “The Forest Hills” turns out, and get the privilege of seeing Shelly Duvall on the big screen one more time.
