Shelley Alexis Duvall (born July 7, 1949) is an award-winning American film and television actress. She began her career in the 1970s, playing quirky and waif-like characters in the movies of Robert Altman, and eventually starred in movies by Woody Allen, Stanley Kubrick, Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton.
She was "discovered" in 1970 by Robert Altman (I) when he came to Houston to direct Brewster McCloud (1970). She was selling cosmetics at Foley's in Northwest Mall in Houston.
Sister of Stewart Duvall.
Daughter of attorney Robert R. Duvall (not the actor) and Bobbie Crawford.
Was the host of "Faerie Tale Theatre" (1982) and played the character of Rapunzel in Rapunzel and the part of the Miller's daughter in Rumpelstiltskin.
Studied at South Texas Junior College.
Milos Forman had considered her for the role as the prostitute in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). While screening Thieves Like Us (1974)_ to see if she was right for the role, he became interested in Louise Fletcher, who had a supporting role, and decided to cast her as Nurse Ratched.
Graduated from S.P. Waltrip High School, in Houston, Texas, in 1967. Patrick Swayze and wrestler Mark Calaway (aka The Undertaker) also graduated from this high school.
