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Fort Worth native Shelley Duvall dies in small Texas Hill Country town she called home

Duvall was born in Fort Worth and lived in the tiny Texas Hill Country town of Blanco when she died of complications of diabetes.

BLANCO, Texas — Shelley Duvall, who was born in Fort Worth, known as a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick's “The Shining,” died Thursday at 75 years old

Among the Altman films Duvall starred in include “Thieves Like Us,” “Nashville, “Popeye,” “Three Women” and “McCabe & Ms. Miller.” At her peak, Duvall was a regular star in some of the defining movies of the 1970s and 1980s. 

According to her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, Duvall died Thursday in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas. Duvall moved to Blanco after leaving Hollywood in the mid-90s, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Where is Blanco, Texas?

Blanco is a small, rural town in the Central Texas "Hill Country," with a population of only 1,700 people, according to the U.S. Census. It is a cattle and ranching community located along the Blanco River in Blanco County. 

You'll find Blanco off of U.S. Highway 281, 45 minutes southwest of Austin and 45 minutes north of San Antonio.

The city only covers 3.2 square miles. 

Approximately 15.8% of Blanco's population is above the age of 65, according to the U.S. Census.

Other notable people who have lived in Blanco include:

  • Terence T. Henricks, astronaut
  • Patrick Higginbotham, judge
  • Emery Nix, professional football player
  • Willie Upshaw, professional baseball player
  • William D. Wittliff, screenwriter, author and photographer
  • Leon Coffee, ProRodeo Hall of Fame Bull Fighter (rodeo clown) and 1983 PRCA clown of the year
  • Natalie Wolchover, science journalist and winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting

How did Shelley Duvall die? 

Duvall's friend and publicist, Gary Springer, told the Associated Press she died from complications of diabetes.

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us last night," Gilroy said in a statement. “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley.”

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