Actress Shelley Duvall is nearly unrecognizable in an upcoming sit-down interview with TV’s Dr. Phil McGraw, where she reveals her ongoing struggles with serious mental health issues.
In the preview for Friday’s episode, 67-year-old Duvall — best-known for her role opposite Jack Nicholson in The Shining – is described as a “near recluse” with “unusual beliefs.”
READ MORE: Robin Williams’ widow pens essay about actor’s suicide for ‘Neurology’
The actress, who also appeared alongside Robin Williams in the 1980 flick Popeye, says she believes the late comedian is not dead and claims to have seen him.
When Dr. Phil asks where she thinks Williams is, she replies, “Shape-shifting.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QMmTspOv_Q
She also says she’s been threatened by the “Sheriff of Nottingham” and believes there is a “worrying disc” inside her leg.
She then admits, “I’m very sick. I need help.”
READ MORE: Major depression is on the rise in youth, especially teenage girls: study
The Texas native has 49 acting credits to her name, spanning from 1973 to 2002, as well as several producing and writing credits. The last film she appeared in was 2002’s Manna from Heaven alongside Cloris Leachman and Shirley Jones.
Get daily National news
According to Biography, Duvall also founded two successful television production companies. She has since left Los Angeles and returned to Texas where she raises animals and writes poetry.
The Dr. Phil interview airs Thursday. McGraw has been lambasted online for what many people see as exploitation of Duvall’s fragile mental state.
https://twitter.com/frumacat/status/799126531440263168
https://twitter.com/MichaelTivey/status/799097274412441600
The daughter of The Shining director Stanley Kubrick even chimed into the conversation on Twitter.
Where to get help
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hurts and Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 all offer ways for getting help if you, or someone you know, is suffering from mental health issues.
Comments