Legendary actress Shelley Duvall made a rare appearance in an interview with Dr. Phil on November 18, 2016. The episode, titled From Hollywood Star to Near Isolation: Helping The Shining’s Shelley Duvall, marked her first interview in several years.
However, the episode was met with backlash, particularly from Stanley Kubrick’s daughter, Vivian, who took to Twitter to express her disgust. Vivian criticized the interview as exploitative and cruel, urging others to boycott the show.
During the interview, viewers noted that Shelley appeared unwell, describing herself as very sick and in need of help. She expressed paranoia and delusions, claiming to have a disc inside her and insisting that she believed Robin Williams was still alive.
Despite Dr. Phil’s efforts to arrange mental health treatment for Shelley in California, she refused and returned home to Texas with her life partner, Dan Gilroy. Vivian Kubrick launched a GoFundMe page to support Shelley’s health and finances.
After the episode aired, both Shelley and Dr. Phil responded to the backlash and criticism. Shelley revealed that Dr. Phil had been persistent in contacting her mother and attempting to continue their interactions. However, Dr. Phil defended his actions, emphasizing the show’s intention to provide support and resources for those struggling with mental illness.
On January 31, 2023, CBS canceled Dr. Phil’s show, marking the end of an era for the popular daytime talk show host. Tragically, on July 11, 2024, Shelley Duvall passed away at the age of 75 due to health complications related to diabetes. Her iconic performances will always be remembered by fans and audiences around the world.