'The Shining' Actress Shelley Duvall's Family Reach Truce Over Her 6-Figure Estate

Shelley Duvall can finally rest in peace as her family and late partner settled their differences after a heated legal battle.

The Hollywood veteran's name became embroiled in her family's dispute with her longtime lover, Dan Gilroy, shortly after her passing on July 11, 2024. The Duvall clan butted heads with the "Popeye" actress's beau over her 6-figure estate.

Dan Gilroy attempted to establish himself as Shelley Duvall's legal husband, arguing their longtime romance was binding despite them never walking down the aisle. However, the late TV personality's three brothers fought against his motion, stressing that he was neither her husband nor entitled to her property.

It took eight months after Shelley took her final breath for her three brothers and her longtime partner to reach an agreement over her estate. According to court documents, Gilroy and the Duvall siblings informed the court they had settled their differences on March 27.

The agreement noted Gilroy and Shelley's brothers, Shane, Stewart, and the late Scott Duvall, would all receive a cut of her estate. Per the settlement, Gilroy was given half of Shelley's separate real property while the brothers each received a 1/6 cut.

Additionally, Shelley's two surviving brothers, Shane and Stewart, would be appointed administrators of her estate. The actress's third brother, Scott, died on November 18, 2024, in Texas amid the Duvalls' legal battle with Gilroy. Part of the court documents obtained by In Touch read:

"There is a need for an administration because there are taxes that have to be filed, real property which must be administered, royalties that have to be distributed, etc."

Before reaching an agreement with the Duvall brothers, Shelley's longtime partner was initially adamant about being awarded a large cut of her estate. He filed a petition to be regarded as "The Shining" actress' "surviving common-law spouse" a couple of weeks after her death.

Gilroy stressed that he and Shelley had been together for over three decades, but they never got married. He alleged they "had an agreement to be married and demonstrated an intention to create a present, immediate, and permanent marital relationship."

The Hollywood icon's longtime partner told the court Shelley owned property worth over $100,000 and asked for 100 percent of community property. Gilroy's demands continued with requests for 50 percent of separate real property and 100 percent of community and separate property.

Gilroy did not leave Shelley's brothers out in his petition, imploring the court to award them 1/6th of Shelley's separate real property. However, Shane immediately denied his request, refusing to acknowledge Gilroy as his sister's "surviving spouse" or beneficiary to her estate.

Shane argued that Shelley's estate only had three beneficiaries: her brothers and no one else. On that note, he demanded that the court grant them 1/3rd of Shelley's real and personal property. He also asked to be appointed administrator of Shelley's estate.

Shelley's other brother, Stewart, echoed similar sentiments, filing legal documents asking to be named estate administrator. The Blast covered the drama last year, reporting that her brothers revealed the late TV personality's finances and real estate worth during their legal battle with Gilroy.

In his filing, Shelley's brother Shane revealed she had over $50,000 in cash and owned the property in Blanco, Texas, where she died. He told the court the home was worth around $600,000 and highlighted the other miscellaneous personal property his sister owned.

Besides real estate, Shane noted the late actress's estate consisted of minor royalty payments. This list included revenues from her work in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 movie "The Shining." Shelley also generated revenue from starring in "Popeye" and her 1992 show "Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories."

The Cannes Film Festival Award honoree was well-known in the industry for her unique voice and playing eccentric characters. Her acting credits include "Roxanne" in 1987 and "The Portrait of a Lady" in 1996.

Shelley added producing to her achievements when she created the children's television series "Faerie Tale Theatre," which aired from 1982-1987.

Although Shelley gained worldwide recognition for her performance in "The Shining," it came at a cost. The late actress starred as Wendy Torrance, the wife of Jack Torrance, in the iconic horror film and endured harsh conditions to bring the character to life.

The movie's director allegedly made Shelley and co-star Jack Nicholson shoot the epic confrontation on the stairs scene 127 times. The stress from holding the baseball bat for long hours affected the late actress's hands, which reportedly began shredding raw.

Shelley's voice also became hoarse from her crying, and her eyes were swollen. Reports claimed she left the set completely dehydrated, with the TV personality echoing similar sentiments in an interview.

She claimed the scenes of her crying in pain, fear, and exhaustion were real responses to the trauma she experienced on set.

Hopefully, Shelley Duvall's brothers and longtime partner will have no more reasons to clash over her estate.