The Surprising REturn of Shelley Duvall

IN AN EMOTIONAL INTERVIEW, THE '70S ICON OPENS UP ABOUT LEAVING HOLLYWOOD 20 YEARS AGO AND WHY SHE'S ACTING AGAIN  

- ELAINE ARADILLAS

In a small, one-stoplight town in the Texas Hill Country, a waitress is quickly jotting down a to-go order: blackened tilapia, crab cake with wedge fries, a side salad, hard-boiled eggs, a sweetened iced tea, and a Dr. Pepper with an extra cup of ice. The waitress looks up. “Is this for Shelley Duvall?”

For the past two decades, Duvall, 73, has been quietly living in the area, where she’s a regular at most establishments. While many locals know her, some may be surprised to learn that the grayhaired woman who often breaks into song while speaking is an iconic actress from the ’70s and ’80s who showed offher impressive range and quirky style in classic films including Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, Robert Altman’s Popeye and Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. After acting in more than 20 movies and producing several TV shows, Duvall decided to step away from Hollywood in 2002 and retire in Central Texas.

That is, until now. Duvall is returning to acting in an indie horror film, The Forest Hills, which will premiere on March 11 at Smodcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. (a theater owned by filmmaker Kevin Smith). Director-writer-producer Scott Goldberg, who’s seeking further distribution for the movie, says he called Duvall last year and asked her to play a supporting role: “Shelley’s a Hollywood icon. I’m happy that she has the opportunity to show that she still has the talent.” Says Duvall: “Acting again—it’s so much fun. It enriches your life.”