Ms. Duvall wasn’t planning on a film career when she met Mr. Altman while he was filming “Brewster McCloud” (1970); she had thrown a party to sell her husband’s artwork, and members of his film crew were in attendance.
Taken with her, they introduced her to Mr. Altman, a director with his own reputation for oddball movies and offbeat casting.
She also starred as Olive Oyl opposite Robin Williams in “Popeye” (1980).
“I thought: boy, if it’s this easy, why doesn’t everybody act?” she told The New York Times in April.
Her work with Mr. Altman cemented Ms. Duvall’s career; with her gossamer frame and toothy smile, she was the go-to actress for any role that called for an out-of-the-ordinary performance.
Persons:
Shelley Duvall, Robert Altman, Jack Nicholson, ”, Duvall wasn’t, Altman, Brewster, —, Mr . Altman, “ McCabe, Miller ”, Olive Oyl, Robin Williams, Popeye ”, Duvall’s
Organizations:
New York Times
Locations:
“, Blanco , Texas