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Robert Duvall, the Academy Award-winning actor celebrated for a long career playing steely, often hard-edged characters in some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed films, has died at the age of 95.
Duvall passed away Sunday at his home in Middleburg, Virginia. In a statement released through his public relations agency, his wife, Luciana, said he died peacefully.
Over a career spanning roughly six decades, Duvall became one of American film’s most respected performers, earning seven Academy Award nominations and leaving behind an extensive body of work across film and television.
Breakthrough roles and lasting legacy
Duvall rose to major prominence as Tom Hagen, the Corleone family’s trusted lawyer and adviser, in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic The Godfather. The performance brought him his first Oscar nomination. He later returned to the role in The Godfather Part II.
His work with Coppola continued with the Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now, where he played the fearless and eccentric Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore. His delivery of the line “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” became one of the film’s most famous moments and helped cement his place in movie history.
Early life and training
Born in San Diego, California, Duvall was the son of a career naval officer. After attending Principia College in Illinois, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. He later moved to New York to study acting under renowned teacher Sanford Meisner.
During his early years in the theater world, he shared an apartment with Dustin Hoffman and spent time with fellow aspiring actor Gene Hackman, who later became a major star and died last year.
Expanding film career
Duvall’s first notable film appearance came in 1962, when he played Arthur “Boo” Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, a small but memorable role. The part remained personally significant to him. He later named one of his dogs “Boo.”
In the years that followed, he took on a wide range of characters. His credits included roles such as a villain opposite John Wayne in True Grit, Major Frank Burns in Robert Altman’s MASH*, and the lead in George Lucas’ 1971 dystopian debut THX 1138.
After The Godfather elevated his status, Duvall became a constant presence on screen, including in films like Network and in television projects such as the popular miniseries Lonesome Dove.
Oscar win and major nominations
Duvall won his Academy Award for Best Actor for Tender Mercies (1983), playing a country singer, a role in which he performed his own vocals.
He was also nominated for portraying a strict Marine father in The Great Santini and for his role in Apocalypse Now.
“Godfather Part III” dispute
Despite his key role in the first two Godfather films, Duvall did not appear in The Godfather Part III in 1990. He later said he declined because of a salary disagreement, arguing that he was offered far less than co-star Al Pacino. He described the decision as one based on principle.
Later career and filmmaking
Duvall continued acting for decades, including performances in Westerns such as Open Range with Kevin Costner. He also earned an Emmy for his work in the miniseries Broken Trail.
In addition to acting, he became a filmmaker. He wrote, directed, and starred in The Apostle (1997), playing a troubled preacher, a performance that earned him another Oscar nomination. He later directed Assassination Tango and Wild Horses.
Even into his 80s, Duvall remained active. His final Oscar nomination came in 2014 for The Judge. Later films included Jack Reacher and Widows.
Historical portrayals and personal life
Across his career, Duvall portrayed several major historical figures, including Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Gods and Generals, Joseph Stalin in HBO’s Stalin, and Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in The Man Who Captured Eichmann.
He was married four times. In 2004, he married Argentinian actress and director Luciana Pedraza.
Politics and honors
Duvall was known for supporting Republican candidates. He attended George W. Bush’s inauguration, helped raise funds for Mitt Romney, and narrated a video shown at the 2008 Republican National Convention.
He received the National Medal of Arts during the Bush administration.
No formal service planned
According to the statement released Monday, no official memorial service will be held. Instead, the family encouraged those who want to honor him to do so simply, by watching a great movie, sharing stories with friends, or taking a scenic drive and appreciating the world around them.
With information from CNN.
