Began collecting children's books at age 17

Met director Robert Altman while attending college in Houston, Texas

Cast by Altman in debut film "Brewster McCloud", the first of seven movies she acted in for him

Won critical attention for Altman's "Thieves Like Us"

Was in the ensemble of Altman's "Nashville"

Won the Cannes Best Actress Award for Altman's "3 Women"

Appeared in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall"

Formed Platypus Productions; created and produced award-winning "Faerie Tale Theatre" for SHOWTIME, the first episodes airing that year

Founded Think Entertainment with TCI, Newhouse Broadcasting and United Artist Entertainment to develop programs and made-for-cable movies for cable channels, including Showtime, HBO, The Disney Channel, Lifetime and TNT

Executive produced and starred in The Disney Channel's "Mother Goose Rock'n Rhyme" a ninety-minute musical movie boasting the talents of Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Lauper and Debbie Harry, among others

Duvall's Think Entertainment joined forces with newly-formed Universal Cartoon Studios in creating her fourth original Showtime series "Shelly Duvall's Bedtime Stories"

Moved to Texas after the 1994 California earthquake

Played Countess Gemini in Jane Campion's "The Portrait of a Lady"