Shelley Duvall's harrowing six-word plea for help from last TV interview revealed as star dies aged 75
Actress Shelley Duvall's death was announced on Thursday
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Fans have been paying tribute to The Shining actress Shelley Duvall, who died on Thursday.
The 75-year-old died from complications linked to diabetes but had been out of the public for many years prior as she struggled with her mental health.
Following her death, clips from her final televised interview have resurfaced in which Duvall issued a heartbreaking plea for help.
Talk show host Dr Phil came under fire back in 2016 for the controversial move of interviewing the actress when she was in the midst of a mental health crisis.
The interview was titled A Hollywood Star's Descent Into Mental Illness: Saving The Shining’s Shelley Duvall, with the infamous episode highlighting the actress' mental state as she made various bizarre claims, such as that she was being threatened by "the sheriff on Nottingham".
She went on to say she believed her Popeye co-star Robin Williams was still alive despite the fact he died two years prior.
Dr Phil came under fire for the controversial interview
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In one heartbreaking moment, Duvall admitted she needed help, telling the US TV presenter: "I'm very sick. I need help."
The TV star replied: "Well, that's why I'm here". He later claimed on the show Duvall would receive treatment from specialists for her illness.
However, he went on to add: "Shelley still refused to take any medications, and she would not sign the paperwork required to treat her.
"She was accompanied by trained professionals and was safely returned to her family and boyfriend at home," he added.
Shelley Duvall is best-known for her role in classic horror film, The Shining
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The TV personality faced a major backlash for the interview, with actress Mia Farrow arguing there should be laws protecting "mentally ill people from TV talk show predators like [Dr Phil] who is exploiting Shelly Duvall for his own gain laws".
The daughter of Stanley Kubrick, who directed The Shining, also slammed the interview, deeming it "shameful" and a form of "lurid entertainment".
She wrote at the time: "You are putting Shelley Duvall 'on show' while she is suffering from a pitiable state of ill health.
"Unquestionably, this is purely a form of lurid and exploitative entertainment – it’s appallingly cruel."
The actress was best known for her role in the horror film The Shining as well as her collaborations with film director, Robert Altman.
Citing a cause of death, The Hollywood Reporter stated Duvall died in her sleep of complications from diabetes following a statement from her partner.
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Shelley Duvall stated in the controversial interview: 'I'm very sick. I need help.'
CBS
Her death took place at her home in Blanco, Texas. Her partner Dan Gilroy said in a statement to THR: "My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us.
"Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley."