How Shelley Duvall Was Discovered By Robert Altman | Letterman

A look back at Shelley's appearance with Dave in 1984.
(From "Late Night," air date: 9/27/84)
#shelleyduvall #hollywood #letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
TikTok: / letterman
Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. And for those of you who like Miscellaneous, you may very well find some Miscellaneous here.

[@alansimon1354]

What a sweetie! Dave was not on form, really quite awkward but she kept smiling and chatting, really unpretentious. RIP Shelley,, sweet soul, only recently passed

[@paintb0x]

He must have been nervous or something

[@taxesdeathandtrouble.1886]

Possibly a little bit embarrassed that he hadn’t had her on before this was my thought.? By this time she had been in some delicious movies and had several influential friends, including Teri Garr. One of Dave’s flames.

[@alansimon1354]

@@paintb0x yeah he usually had great rapport with his guests but he was struggling here!

[@careyatchison1348]

I had forgotten how impressively bad at interviewing Dave could sometimes be! It didn't keep Shelley from being gracious and sweet, though.

[@jedijones]

@@careyatchison1348 His interviewing is not very good in these early years. I think the whole show found its voice about 5 years in.

[@brian-ld4vd]

Shelley Duvall was Very Charming. RIP

[@laurabarr2464]

Indeed...and her voice was amazing ! ❤

[@stationminute]

Dave trying to catch her out on the science stuff, and Shelley very eloquently and politely not having it. RIP

[@creativemindplay]

Tryna mock her

[@TheJimbo1791]

Dave an ass like always. I hate him. Shelley is lovely.

[@08pixiedust]

Yeah, that was weird and not all that pleasant. It didn't seem like genuine interest.

[@gaskellr44]

I think he was just trying to be funny, but his general awkwardness made him seem something else negative.

[@MGBguy72]

Shelley Duvall; Fairie Tale Theatre fondly remembered by my family! My condolences to her family, friends and fans.

[@danielbelardino7662]

Me too !!! Loved that show have the whole series on dvd✨️✨️✨️..I'm so sad!! 😢😢😢😢😫

[@DaNiyaHodge]

Rip Shelley Alexis Duvall, you will be missed

[@josephroman8568]

I watched that show as a kid. Always thought it was terrific. RIP Shelley, you are at peace.

[@Igboman87]

I loved her in "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme"!

[@chrisryan8810]

Not only a talented actor but also a brilliant mind. GODSPEED SHELLY.

[@anish3183]

Rest in Peace, Shelley. What a lovely woman.

[@Andrew-Antioch-Kim]

We'll miss you and please rest easy, Shelley!

[@WhiteWizzard]

She was smarter and sexier than people give her credit for. Amazing eyes. She had a one off personality. She was a hell of an actress. She got destroyed and back stabbed by so many, and screwed on her health later in life. I wish her well and Godspeed. RIP beautiful Shelly.

[@marctronixx]

beautifully and accurately said!

[@harveylee51]

@WhiteWizzard Agreed on all that , i like to remember her like this she was quite a beauty , i will remember her great acting and how she just played Olive Oyl so well . and of course The Shining and her wonderful work on Fairytale Theatre God rest her soul she is at peace now RIP Shelly Duvall 🙏❤

[@jbt6007]

She was too good for this world and certainly too good for Holllyweird.

[@zayn9763]

I actually think she’s super attractive

[@1Rdby]

I thought she was so unattractive when I was a kid, but now I wonder why. I think she’s just lovely and has such a sweet and unpretentious energy about her. All she needed was braces.

[@emmamelms3555]

I’m getting second hand embarrassment for how bad of an interview letterman was giving. But what an intelligent woman Shelley was! RIP!

[@JosannaMonik]

Letterman is so sexist I can't stand how he interviews women. like he's always trying to make them look dumb. Didn't work on shelley she was too smart for him.

[@vivianasong7271]

What a lovely, unique woman. RIP Shelley.

[@smoothpoon86]

She’s so adorable! What a sweetheart, RIP Ms Duvall

[@justayoutuber1906]

I had no idea she was so scientifically literate.

[@patricias5122]

YES, MANY WOMEN ARE. Few get credit for it.

[@CDeez-bh6sg]

I was able to meet her in Boerne delivering some medical DME. She was so sweet and asked If I was Ferris Bueller. I'll never forget our conversation.

[@basskick666]

She's adorable in this clip...great tribute.

[@y2kunlimited488]

He tried to catch her in a lie with the science conversation but the amazing Shelly Duvall proved him, so smart and beyond talented, she’ll forever be missed we love you so much Shelly rest in peace 🫶

[@waynefoote3781]

She made Dave look real stupid!

[@herrbonk3635]

Didn't know she died. Do you know from what?

[@1Rdby]

@@kalevala29 Cher saying she never wanted to do his show bc she thought he was an a**hole. Shirley MacLaine thought about the same. 😂

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

"Oh GOLL-EE" Gosh...she was such a cute, adorable, creative, and wonderful nerd

[@imsteph21]

What an absolute delight she is! I'm both impressed and satisfied how her down-to-earth personality and intelligence managed to keep Letterman from making a joke out of her. If anything, he did it to himself more than the other way around! RIP our dear sweet Shelley!❤️🙏🏼🕯

[@2000sBarbie]

As a 17 year old born in 2007 I love Shelley 💗 she’s an angel now 🙏🏻✨

[@tf8696]

Thank you for sharing this. Charm, talent, intellect. She had it all and then some. RIP, dear woman. I'm sorry she suffered in her later years, but her work makes her immortal.

[@Vf46]

Faerie Tale Theater is a staple of my childhood. I always appreciated Shelley’s unique beauty, charisma and talent. She was a legend but also a genuinely sweet woman. May she rest peacefully.

[@primitiveleatherworks8783]

I had no idea she was studying to be a scientist. Fascinating.

[@bestdisco1979]

Shelley was unique...one of a kind. Highly intelligent and interesting. RIP.

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

I liked her a lot. Sorry to hear about her passing. She was a good drama & comedic actress. RIP 🙏🙏

[@daniele.82]

I'm sad, She was beautiful. R.I.P. Shelley..

[@stereoroid]

1984? The first cloned mammal was Dolly the Sheep in 1996, but Shelly was among those who saw it coming.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Interesting to see this interview with Dave and Shelley. Glad she chose entertainment not lab work. There's no one before or since like Shelley Duvall, totally unique and memorable, she'll be missed. Nice to see René Auberjonois and Terri Garr in the Faerie Tale Theatre clip too.

[@jedijones]

I was shocked this channel didn't edit out the clip.

[@michaelryley]

I didn’t realise that was Rene A with Teri and Robin, nice spot

[@loginregional]

Rene Auberjonois, Robin Williams, Shelley Duval: rest in peace, kids. You were my favourites. You too, Teri.

[@donkeyhanger]

Bob newhart

[@layna-heyhey]

I remember watching every Faerie Tale Theatre, oh I thought I could be an actress. Thanks to Shelley for bringing imagination alive for the children. RIP

[@christineaudet1307]

😢 she was so sweet and humble

[@Nightwatchman53]

R.I.P. Ms. DuVall..

[@wendy-woodhouse]

It's amazing that she just fell into acting considering how completely natural and at ease she seemed on screen. It's the same way with interviews.

[@matthewfarmer2520]

This is 40 years ago on David Letterman show. Rest in peace 🕊️🙏 Shelley Duvall 😢

[@jasonmarmor4683]

This interview was eye-opening! What an interesting woman!

[@michaelryley]

Microsoft, Apple and Hewlett Packard all reportedly started in garages, Shelley knew what she was talking about!

[@saraheart2804]

She was such an interesting and wonderful actress. ❤

[@sj122s]

Great actress, very intelligent... RIP

[@WooBino.]

If Dave wasnt on TV he would be a sarcastic middle manager.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

well he started as a weatherman, so...

[@michaelcelani8325]

​@@ThatOpalGuy...Dave was an insecure with deep seated jealousy that he was working VERY HARD to hide, unsuccessfully, as was evident here. Kinda like " Small Town Insecurity ". Now he has a big ugly white beard and lives in Montana .!

[@ronnieparker4311]

Rest in peace miss shelly ! 🙏 your Hollywood icon

[@NWRJ]

RIP Shelley! You were very pretty and talented! 😥

[@adrianneacsu6270]

Rest in Peace, Shelly, we'll miss you

[@escargotomy]

RIP Miss D. The woman with the little-girl voice who gave us Wendy and Olive.

[@kooale]

"Recombinant DNA" David - BOOM! Beautiful, Shelley! That's our girl!

[@victoryak86]

Shelley was one of a kind, a true original. Her acting performances were truly exceptional and memorable, especially her great work in the Shining.

[@UberNeuman]

She traveled a long hard road. May you be at peace, Shelley.

[@brianmoore5498]

delightful to see Ms Duvall in her prime. Let the lady talk David. I had never seen Robin and Teri Garr in faery tale theater. An happy bonus! Sadly, ....Farewell

[@FrankBenlin]

One of the reasons Brewster McCloud is a great movie.

[@mattrange5439]

Damnit..stop leaving us people! Rest easy Shelley.

[@GabrielSC174]

I hear you

[@Igboman87]

I loved Shelley in "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme"! That project of hers came out in 1990 when I was three years old, and I loved watching the reruns on Disney as a small child. It was great seeing the whole thing yesterday when I watched it online in honor of Ms. Duvall.

[@benchiaase]

Wow I didn't know she was a scientist! She's remarkably intelligent, and I feel she deserved better than what Hollywood gave her. RIP.

[@ScrawnyRonnie89]

Dave was so nice to her and seemed like he actually enjoyed talking with Shelly. Shelly will truly be missed. A beautiful kind hearted woman. RIP 🙏 Shelly Duvall

[@Randy-do3dz]

Nah he was condescending as usual

[@waynefoote3781]

@@Randy-do3dz Yeah he seemed to really rush her and was kinda rude.

[@dav1237]

I love Shelley Duvall.

[@grahamfraser2150]

wow.Shelley Duvall is wicked smart.

[@theadamblock]

Mother goose rock n rhyme will always be one of my favorites.

[@Igboman87]

Same here, I watched the whole thing for the first time in years yesterday online to honor Ms. Duvall.

[@9386AliG]

RIP Shelley Duvall.

[@lauriebradman9661]

What a delight she was! I'm really glad I found this video.

[@tamtamj8787]

I really loved her. Great actress. Seems like a very kind soul. She will be so missed.

[@Adam95558]

RIP legend never die

[@ZemplinTemplar]

The loveliest Texan lady ever. Thank you for everything, Shelley Duvall, and may you rest in peace and heavenly bliss. We'll always remember you.

[@stereoroid]

Shelly turned 75 just a few days ago, so I thought this was why this interview was being shown … 😢

[@oscarm5896]

She was a great actress. Superb in Three women!

[@Aswaguespack]

RIP Shelley Duvall

[@waynewisecarver]

I knew Shelley in the late 60s in Houston when she worked the fragrance counter at Foley's with my girlfriend.

[@donkeyhanger]

Cool

[@lisamalone5219]

RIP Shelley Duvall 🌹 🕊️

[@jakehead72]

She was so smart and ahead of her time

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

Rest in precious peace, Shelley. Unique, beautiful soul. Brilliant in 3 Women.

[@patricias5122]

SHE WAS SO ADORABLE. Rest in peace, you queen of comedy you.

[@samxxttha]

RIP Shelley Duvall ❤️🙏🏼

[@andrewking8174]

Such a sweet person and an amazing actress!❤❤❤ RIP

[@oldtimeradionut]

I think Dave's crushing

[@squinkque]

What a beauty and what a beautiful mind. Shelly will be missed. Very, very underrated.

[@johncornell3665]

RIP Shelley. The Shining is my favorite movie of all time. Very nice lady. Thanks Dave!

[@riccarrasquilla379]

thanks for the video and movies RIP

[@klipkultur3680]

Sometimes Dave's videos bring bad news... Rest In Peace Shelley Duvall.

[@JordanjamesX]

RIP Shelley Duvall she was a fantastic actress.

[@ghostwolf1435]

R.i.P Shelley She was charming and lovely

[@waynefoote3781]

Damn...She schlepped 35 paintings to an event and was asked to be in a film and slowly became a movie star! She was smart quick and beautiful indeed. What an incredible story! I wish her Eternity.

[@dadaevan]

RIP Shelley - tough life recently...

[@robertdaleski8654]

Always Loved Her~ in many ways~ RIP Shelley.....

[@jacoscofield5150]

RIP Shelly what a beautiful soul

[@TheSilentForgotten]

RIP Shelley...Your "Shining" will always be with us!

[@gio_ser5120]

❤❤❤❤ she was a kind soul

[@robh.5658]

R. I. P. Shelley Duvall

[@CharlieOkeson]

RIP, Shelley. 😢

[@modarzawati2489]

Great tribute.

[@stevearkie5722]

She was such a delicate flower .

[@sosonolow5094]

She was amazing in Altman's Three Women - so natural and believable.

[@loverofbeers]

Rest peacefully.

[@benbelzer8303]

Shelley and her partner Dan Gilroy were in one of my favorite childhood movies (it was very different) called "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme". ZZ Top made a cameo, along with a lot of other well known artists 😊.

[@49erfanaticfromnm30]

Literally born to play Olive Oyl live. Sure, Robin Williams was great in Popeye, but he didn't exactly look the part like she did. Was a big fan of Popeye when I was a kid and I loved that movie.

[@jerryjayson67]

Fairytale theatre was awesome. Started alot of known actors careers

[@Tommyr]

RIP Shelley....

[@thomasnee270]

Brains & Beauty. RIP angel.

[@armandoucles5346]

Shelley was so smart and talented and it breaks my heart how the industry ruined this lady. She was such a big part of my childhood and she and I have the same birthday. R.I.P. Shelley.

[@juanchitin70]

Thanks so much! I hope that one day upload Boy George's second interview from 1984 (red hair)to the KZbin channel.

[@iamyoussef21]

REST IN PEACE THE WONDERFUL AND VERY UNDERRATED SHELLEY DUVALL WE NEVER DESERVED YOU 😢😢

[@SpaceCattttt]

The most beautiful woman I ever saw. So tender, so sweet and ultimately so tragic.

[@ASalvaro]

oh good lord get some glasses!

[@cyberspore00]

@@ASalvaroget a soul.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@ASalvaro And see your face more clearly? No, thanks.

[@unwavery]

​@@ASalvarowhat a nasty thing to say.

[@macatac14-kt4xp]

Sad to hear she passed away, love the shinning and her amazing performance,R I P .

[@easternyellowjacket276]

Incredibly intelligent woman. Never knew that about her. Only knew her from her role in The Shining. Wow.

[@unwavery]

Seek out Three Women sometime, Duvall and Spacek both are at their best in that Altman flick imho.

[@forrestphilpot]

Her work with Altman is incredible

[@JCWiley2300]

It's hard to watch these interviews from this era when David Letterman was such an abrasive human stool.

[@dazbeal5438]

i really liked shelly then x shining all the way

[@toyboimaniac1661]

Would’ve loved her to play Madame Currie ❤