'I'm very sick, I need help!' The Shining star Shelley Duvall's struggle with mental illness is revealed as she claims Robin Williams 'is a shapeshifter and not dead'

  • The Shining actress Shelley Duvall's struggles with mental illness have been revealed for the first time in a new interview with Dr. Phil
  • Shelley - who lives a reclusive life in a small town in Texas - is also known for her role as Olive Oyl in the 1980 hit Popeye opposite Robin Williams
  • 'I loved Robin Williams. I don't think he is dead,' the actress says in the trailer for the show which was released Wednesday 
  • Shelley - who claims to have seen Robin since his death - also feels she is under threat from the Sheriff of Nottingham 

By Chelsea White For Dailymail.com

Published: 22:58 EST, 16 November 2016 | Updated: 18:40 EST, 17 November 2016

Her doe eyes filled with fear as Jack Nicholson chops his way through a door remains one of Hollywood horror movies' most iconic scenes, but this star is a heartbreakingly long way from her glory days.

Shelley Duvall's struggles with mental illness has been revealed for the first time in a new interview with Dr. Phil.

In a sneak peek of an upcoming show released Wednesday, the 67-year-old actress, who rose to fame in the Eighties, is almost unrecognizable.

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Tragic: Shelley Duvall's struggles with mental illness has been revealed for the first time in a new interview with Dr. Phil

Iconic actress: In a sneak peek of an upcoming show released Wednesday, the Eighties actress is almost unrecognizable from the way she looked when she starred in The Shining (pictured)

While her mental illness was once the source of gossipy fodder for the National Enquirer, this is the first time the world - outside of her small town - has seen the 67-year-old in over a decade.

Sitting down with Dr. Phil McGraw it is immediately evident that The Shining actress is very unwell.

Shelley - who lives a reclusive life in a small town in Texas - is also known for her role as Olive Oyl in the 1980 hit Popeye opposite Robin Williams.

Really struggling: Sitting down with Dr. Phil McGraw it is immediately evident that The Shining actress is very unwell

While the trailer for Friday's show does not say what mental illness the star is suffering from it is clear she needs help, with the actress telling the TV host she does not believe her late co-star is really dead.

'I loved Robin Williams. I don't think he is dead,' the actress says in the trailer.

When asked by Dr. Phil where she thinks Robin is, the Time Bandits star replies, 'Shape shifting'.

Shelley - who claims to have seen Robin since his death - also feels she is under threat.

Big role: Shelley - who lives a reclusive life in a small town in Texas - is also known for her role as Olive Oyl in the 1980 hit Popeye opposite Robin Williams

Does not believe it: While the trailer for Friday's show does not say what mental illness the star is suffering from it is clear she needs help, with the actress telling the TV host she does not believe her late co-star is really dead

'The man who is threatening me is the Sheriff of Nottingham.'

Pointing to her leg, the former Hollywood starlet also claims 'there's a worrying disc inside of me.' 

In a moment of clarity Shelley looks at Dr. Phil and begs for help: 'I'm very sick, I need help.'

Dr. Phil replies: 'That's why I am here.'

It has been 14 years since Shelley starred in a film, with National Enquirer reporting in 2009 that she was a recluse that believed aliens were living in her body.

The magazine went to Blanco, Texas, to collect stories from its 1,500 residents about the actress and insensitively titled the piece online as 'Shelley demented'.

Suffering from delusions: Shelley - who claims to have seen Robin since his death - also feels she is under threat from the 'the Sheriff of Nottingham'

Sad struggle: Pointing to her leg, the former Hollywood starlet also claims 'there's a worrying disc inside of me'

Truly heartbreaking: In a moment of clarity Shelley looks at Dr. Phil and begs for help, 'I'm very sick, I need help'

'That's why I am here': The television host said he will help the star but how will be revealed on the show Friday

Shelley has previously hinted at her struggle with mental illness during the filming of The Shining which was released in 1980 but took 500 days to film.

Director Stanley Kubrick allegedly pushed Shelley harder than he did her co-star Jack Nicholson.

The iconic filmmaker reportedly made the cast and crew isolate her, forcing her to re-do scenes hundreds of times and not telling her what he and Jack were improvising so to scare her more.

Tough gig: Shelley has previously hinted at her struggle with mental illness during the filming of The Shining which was released in 1980 but took 500 days to film. Director Stanley Kubrick allegedly pushed Shelley harder than he did her co-star Jack Nicholson

Forced method acting: The iconic filmmaker reportedly made the cast and crew isolate her, forcing her to re-do scenes hundreds of times and not telling her what he and Jack were improvising so to scare her more

Shelley said in The Complete Kubrick: 'From May until October I was really in and out of ill health because the stress of the role was so great. 

'Stanley pushed me and prodded me further than I’ve ever been pushed before. It’s the most difficult role I’ve ever had to play.'

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue and is crisis call US 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or, to find support an resources, contact the National Institute of Mental Health Information Resources and Inquiries Branch on 301-443-4513. 

Windows to the soul: Shelley (seen here in 1970) was known for her doe eyes and waif figure in the late Seventies and Eighties but has been living as a near recluse for over a decade

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