Shelley Duvall's Ex-Husband and Boyfriends: Dating History

Aside from the handful of hit TV shows and films Shelley Duvall has starred in, she’s lived the majority of her life out of the spotlight. This didn’t stop her from finding love, though, as she dated some famous men in Hollywood over the years. She was also involved in a few low-profile relationships, including with her ex-husband, Bernard Sampson.

Shelley was married to her first and only spouse from 1970 to 1974, during which she was establishing her status as a star in showbiz. The two never had any children together and after four years of marriage, the actress and Bernard called it quits.

Shelley focused on her Hollywood career following their divorce, but she didn’t stay single forever as she eventually fell into the arms of musician Paul Simon. The exes met when the Emmy Award nominee briefly lived in New York City to film Woody Allen‘s Annie Hall in 1976, according to reports. The “You Can Call Me Al” crooner portrayed the role of Tony Lacey, while Shelley appeared as a Rolling Stone reporter.

After connecting on the hit movie set, sparks flew between Shelley and Paul and the pair eventually moved in together in New York City. During a rare interview with The Hollywood Reporter in February 2021, the Popeye actress recalled what it was like living with the Grammy winner.

“I was at a really scary scene [in a movie], and I didn’t hear Paul come in. He snuck up behind and went, ‘Bla!’ I went, ‘Ahhh!’ I got really mad at him,” she jokingly recalled. “I said, ‘Why did you do that?'”

Though things appeared to be going well for Shelley and Paul, the former couple ultimately called it quits after two years of dating. As the Faerie Tale Theatre alum recalled to THR, Paul ended their romance just moments before she was about to board a plane to London to start filming The Shining on New Year’s Day in 1979.

Fortunately, Shelley moved on, and eventually, she gave love another shot. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, she dated Stanley Wilson and Ringo Starr before finding love with Dan Gilroy. Though Shelley has since left the spotlight and retired in 2002, she told THR she is still romantically involved with Dan, her companion of more than 30 years.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Shelley’s dating history!

Bernard Sampson

Shelley was first linked to her ex-husband, Bernard, in the late 1960s. “We met at a benefit for the astronauts that crashed,” she told THR, referring to the Apollo 1 explosion in 1967. “I was modeling a Rudi Gernreich bathing suit, the kind with the cutouts.”

The couple dated for a number of years, living at her beau’s parents’ house, before they married in 1970. However, they called it quits by 1974.

Paul Simon

The 3 Women actress moved on with Paul in 1976. Though their romance didn’t last, both went on and found new love. Following their split in 1979, Paul was married to late actress Carrie Fisher from 1983 to 1984. He also married his third wife, Edie Brickell, in 1992.

Paul and Edie — who are still together — share their three kids, Lulu Simon, Gabriel Elijah Simon and Adrian Edward Simon.

Dan Gilroy

Shelley’s last and longest romance is with Dan, the “Rico Mambo” musician. Though the lovers have kept a very low profile on their relationship, Shelley told THR that they have been together since 1989. According to the actress, the couple met on the set of Disney Channel’s Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme and have maintained their strong bond over the years. These days, the two live a quiet life in Shelley’s native Texas.