My Weekend (In Memoriam) Crush

As a certified Gen Xer, I regret to inform my fellow Xers that we’ve reached the age when the major stars from our childhoods are passing away. We lost Shannen Doherty and Shelley Duvall (not to mention Richard Simmons, RIP) earlier this month. While neither Shannen or Shelley were queer, per se, I’d say both reached iconic status within the community. I mean “90210” and “Charmed.” “Popeye” and “The Shining.” And, of course, “Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre” and “Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories.”

Yet both these actors are examples of our failed healthcare system and cultural callousness particularly toward female celebrities. If you read anything about the filming of “The Shining,” you know its acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick was extremely demanding of the cast – in particular on Shelley who he wanted in a constant state of, basically, fear. They spent three weeks alone shooting the pivotal stairway scene where Nicholson says he wants to “bash your brains in.” The experience left her mental health forever scarred, and you can understand why.

Meanwhile Shannen attributes a lapse in her health insurance, which delayed her seeing a doctor, for the relapse of breast cancer which ultimately killed her. Not to mention her realization that her ex-husband was waiting for her to die so he didn’t have to pay spousal support. Both women, it should be noted, also got sexist coverage over the years – from Shelley being labeled kooky to Shannen being called difficult.

I hope both women felt the outpouring of adoration at their deaths during their lives. I know their performances brought me untold hours of happiness over the years. May their memories be a blessing to all who enjoyed their work. Happy weekend, all.