Even if you don"t recognize the name Shelley Duvall, you"ve almost certainly seen the actress" work.
Duvall"s quirky appearance and cartoonish voice made her a favorite of "70s and "80s casting directors and her roles in classic films such as The Shining, Annie Hall, and Popeye made her a screen icon of the era.
Then, as quickly as she arrived on the scene, Duvall disappeared from Hollywood.
There were rumors that Duvall had decided to retire from the business or that the offers had simply dried up.
Now, however, it looks as though Duvall has been battling a sever mental illness that"s transformed her appearance and left her unable to leave her home.
Now, the actress is making her first public appearance in years, seeking help on The Dr. Phil Show.
The episode airs tomorrow, and Dr. Phil McGraw is already being accused of exploiting Duvall"s illness for ratings.
"I loved Robin Williams," Duvall says, when asked about her former Popeye costar who passed away in 2014.
"I don"t think he"s dead."
Asked about the whereabouts of her late co-star by McGraw – who may as well be speaking to a giant dollar sign at this point – Duvall replies that Williams is "shape-shifting."
It"s not hard to see why McGraw is being harshly criticized for "treating" Duvall on camera, when the 67-year-old is clearly in no position to consent, and has the right to receive private medical care.
It"s far from the first that McGraw, who was previously accused of exploiting the murder of Bobbi Kristina Brown, has come under fire for unethical practices, and based on his apparent deafness to criticism, it"s safe to say it won"t be the last.
