Fan Shares Shelley Duvall’s Rare 1970 Wedding Photos Bought for $300

Shelley Duvall fans got an intimate view of rarely seen photos of the late actress’ married life thanks to a recent estate sale.

Among the treasure unveiled in the sale was a photo album featuring snapshots from Duvall’s wedding in 1970 to the artist Bernard Sampson.

The photos, which were shared with People, were purchased by Sarah Lukowski, 25, a super-fan of the late actress who maintains the Shelley Duvall Archive, for just $300 at an estate sale held at Duvall’s former home in Blanco, Texas, about an hour from where Lukowski lives in Austin.

Her website is devoted to preserving the Nashville star’s legacy and features numerous photos, vintage articles and biographical notes about Duvall.

Duvall, who died in 2024 at 75, stunned in the newly unveiled photo in her hippie-chic looks while posing with Sampson, whom she divorced in 1974.

In an interview with People, Lukowski said there was no doubt that she ‘had to have’ the photo album after spying photos of it in previews for the estate sale.

The pictures show the Popeye actress having a low-key wedding with Sampson at her parents’ home in Houston.

Lukowski, who flipped through the wedding album on TikTok, noted that the book was labeled ‘Our Children’s Wedding,’ though she claimed it was ‘clearly not a family keepsake.’

In the photos, Duvall sported 1960s mod-style eyelashes, a look that Duvall used most prominently right around that time for Robert Altman’s cult 1970 comedy Brewster McCloud.

Lukowski branded the lashes a ‘unique Shelley touch,’ and she explained that the film and television star achieved the look by using ‘false Andrea lashes with Duo glue.’ 

Duvall wore a patchwork dress with a sweet white skirt decorated with multicolored flower designs atop it.

The actress notably wore the same outfit while filming a scene for Brewster McCloud in which her face was painted like a Raggedy Ann doll. 

She sported brunette locks, a contrast with the raven tresses she’s widely identified with from The Shining (1980), that were styled in a shoulder-length shag hairdo.

Sampson, who showed off a voluminous head of curly hair, wore a white western shirt with a pattern to complement Duvall’s dress and navy blue yoke, along with dark jeans and a thick belt.

The couple are pictured posing in several shots with other family members seated by them, while one photo shows them from behind in a semicircle with family for what appears to be the wedding ceremony.

The two overlaid their hands in one closeup picture highlighting their wedding rings. Both eschewed traditional bands in favor of more boisterous designs, with Duvall wearing a ring decorated with multiple green and white stones.

Another image that’s also said to be from their wedding day features the lovebirds in different outfits. 

Duvall wore what appeared to be a shimmering sea-foam green dress with long puffy sleeves and a ribbon tied around her midriff, as well as a large gold locket dangling from her throat, whereas Sampson wore a simple white shirt and a striking watch on a red band.

Lukowski said that she instantly honed in on the wedding album as soon as she arrived at the sale.

‘I knew she wore that patchwork dress with the printed overskirt, but I never came across photos from the ceremony before. I instantly felt attached to it and also a bit emotional,’ she confessed.

She noted that Duvall and Sampson tied the knot on the same day the actress celebrated her 21st birthday, which was around when she was filming her debut film role for Brewster McCloud. 

‘Seeing those photos and knowing her acting career was right on the cusp is bittersweet,’ Lukowski continued. 

According to Lukowski, Duvall had confessed to her in February 2024 that one of the film’s producers, Lou Adler, treated her to a shopping trip at Neiman Marcus to pick out the dress that would serve double duty for the film and her wedding.

‘The unconventional dress is so Shelley,’ Lukowski shared. ‘It’s funny because I can’t imagine her in a classic white wedding gown. A unique dress for a unique person.’

Duvall would die just five months after their conversation, on July 11, 2024, which was also four days after her 75th birthday.

She had been under hospice care in the months leading up to her death, which was reportedly due to complications from diabetes.

After the wedding photos turned out to be a hit on social media for Lukowski, she reflected on the enduring interest in Duvall’s life and inimitable fashion sense.

‘I’m so happy that other fans were able to enjoy it and Shelley would feel the same too,’ Lukowski said. ‘The photos went viral nearly everywhere and I can understand why. There is a novelty behind it and the non-traditional dress and small at-home ceremony is engaging.’

She also joked about how Sampson looked like ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic in the pictures, thanks to his wild curls.

Lukowski revealed that Sampson was ‘appreciative’ about seeing the photos after she shared them with him via email after his daughter spotted them in one of her social media posts.

Lukowski marveled that it was apparently the first time Duvall’s only husband had ever seen the pictures.

She told People that they had previously linked up when she visited his home in Houston, where he showed her rare photos of his ex-wife that he had kept over the years.

‘He also shared a few letters and newspaper clippings from the time they were together right when Shelley’s career was taking off,’ she told the publication. ‘He always had great things to say about Shelley and he contributed a lot to my social media pages with all the previously unseen photos he shared with me.’

Lukowski also shared that she hoped to some day found an ‘exhibit or small museum for Shelley’ to be filled with the photo album and other treasures she has acquired over the years.

She told People how she had first met Duvall after a mutual friend, who was working on a documentary about the Three Women star, had connected them after she moved to Austin.

She recalled how the three had their first meeting together at a diner near Duvall’s home, where they enjoyed peach cobbler and Dr. Peppers. 

‘At the end of the day, Shelley asked for my number and that launched the beginning of a beautiful friendship right up until her death,’ Lukowski recalled. ‘It all went from there and we would frequently talk on the phone and meet for lunch or coffee.’

Lukowski traced her fascination to Duvall to the first time she saw The Shining. 

Although Duvall’s intense performance in the film was derided by several prominent film critics at the time, and the movie received only mixed reviews, Duvall’s work in it has risen considerably in estimation in recent decades, and the Stanley Kubrick–directed film is now considered one of the greatest horror movies ever made. 

Lukowski said she was drawn to Duvall’s ‘authenticity, kindness on and off-screen, and natural acting ability.’

‘She remained unchanged throughout her career, embracing childlike wonder and always had the same passions and interests. That inspires me the most,’ Lukowski explained. ‘The fascination with her led me to watching all her movies and productions.’

After launching her Shelley Duvall archive on Instagram in 2021, Lukowski has since expanded across social media platforms and created her own website.

‘Everyone discovered Shelley in different ways, such as through her most popular films or deep cuts. Even Shelley supported the ‘fan club’ too. I would always share posts and comments with her and it meant a lot to her,’ Lukowksi added.