Robert Duvall: 1931 - 2026

Actor Robert Duvall has passed away at 95. 

 

Born Robert Seldon Duvall in San Diego, Duvall got his start in acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. During his two years there, his classmates included Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and James Caan. After time in theatre, he moved to television with roles on ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, and THE MOD SQUAD. 

 

His film debut came in 1962 in the classic, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He then appeared in a brief part in BULLITT with Steve McQueen in 1968, Francis Ford Coppola’s THE RAIN PEOPLE in 1969, and engaged in the iconic shootout against John Wayne in TRUE GRIT in 1969. He was a major part of the cinematic renaissance of the 1970’s, appearing in Robert Altman’s MASH (1970), and in George Lucas’ feature debut, THX-1138 (1971). 

 

His first major critical success came in 1972 when he re-teamed with Coppola in THE GODFATHER and would be nominated for an Oscar. He then reprised the role in the 1974 sequel. Also in 1974, he played an un-credited part in Coppola’s THE CONVERSATION. In 1979 he would join Coppola again in APOCALYPSE NOW as Col. Kilgore…delivering one of the most towering performances in film and earning him another nomination. The very next year he would be nominated again for his performance in THE GREAT SANTINI. 

 

In 1983 he would finally land an Oscar win, taking home the Academy Award for Best Actor in TENDER MERCIES. Other notable films included NETWORK (1976), TRUE CONFESSIONS (1981), THE NATURAL (1984), DAYS OF THUNDER (1990), RAMBLING ROSE (1991), FALLING DOWN (1993), THE PAPER (1994), SLING BLADE (1996), GONE IN 60 SECONDS (2000), OPEN RANGE (2003), GODS AND GENERALS (2003), CRAZY HEART (2009), GET LOW (2010), and WIDOWS (2018). He would earn more Oscar nominations for his roles in THE APOSTLE (1997), A CIVIL ACTION (1998), and THE JUDGE (2014). 

 

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There are not many actors who can say they starred in one of the greatest films of all time, and there are even less who can say they were in three. Duvall was a member of that elite group; THE GODFATHER, THE GODFATHER PART II, and APOCALYPSE NOW. He was one of the reasons the 1970’s remains the greatest decade in the history of film. 

 

His greatness came from his quiet authenticity. He favored restraint over show, letting small gestures convey depth. From intense authority figures to vulnerable souls, he performances always felt lived-in and real. For over 60 years he earned a lasting respect from audiences and his peers. From a consigliere to a race-car builder to a napalm-loving soldier, he was truly one of the greats.