Actor Robert Duvall, whose career spanned seven decades and included so many memorable performances, died today at 95. Although best known for his portrayal of Tom, the adopted consigliere son in “The Godfather I and II.” Duvall is also remembered for his exemplary work in several westerns, such as “Tender Mercies” and “Open Range,” as well as other diverse roles.
His death was announced in a written statement by his wife, Luciana, who said he died peacefully at his home, an enormous horse farm in Middleburg, Virginia, just west of Washington D.C. No other details were provided.
Robert Duvall’s Childhood and Early Career
Robert Selden Duvall was born on Jan. 5, 1931, in San Diego. He was the second of three sons born to Rear Admiral William Duvall and Mildred Duvall, an actress. It was rumored that his mother had been a relative of the Confederate general Robert E. Lee. Due to his father’s military career, he grew up on Navy bases around the country. He enrolled at Principia College, a small liberal arts college in Illinois, where he discovered his love of acting.
After a two-year stint in the Army, Duvall moved to New York in 1955 to study acting at the famous Neighborhood Playhouse. While there, he roomed with another aspiring actor, close friend Dustin Hoffman, and became lifelong friends with another student, Gene Hackman. His early acting roles included appearances on television shows such as “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Naked City,” and “Playhouse 90.” But his big break came in 1962 when he was cast as Boo Radley in the Hitchcock epic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Steady Work and Stardom
From there, his career took off. He landed steady roles on several television series, including “Route 66,” “The Fugitive”, and “The Wild, Wild West.” He played opposite John Wayne in “True Grit”, the character of Maj. Frank Burns in Robert Altman’s film “M*A*S*H,” and in George Lucas’ debut sci-fi thriller “THX 1138”. But the role that would make him a star was his portrayal of Tom Hagen, the sensible consigliere to the Corleone crime family in Francis Ford Coppola’s first two “Godfather” movies in the early 1970s.
For his work in “The Godfather,” Duvall received his first (Best Supporting Actor) of seven Oscar nominations. Besides The Godfather films, other roles he played during this period included Frank Hackett in “Network,” Dr. Watson in “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution,” and Colonel Radl in “The Eagle Has Landed.”
Next came two of his most memorable roles. He earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his unforgettable portrayal of Lt. Colonel Kilgore in Francis Ford Coppola’s blockbuster Vietnam film “Apocalypse Now.” And he received a Best Actor nod for his performance as a stern military father in “The Great Santini.”
In 1983, Duval won his sole Oscar Award (Best Actor) for playing country-western singer Mac Sledge in “Tender Mercies.” For this role, he insisted on doing his own singing. Other Duvall films in the 80’s included “The Natural,” “Colors,” and the TV miniseries “Lonesome Dove” (Emmy Nomination).
Later Career and More Oscar Nominations
Robert Duvall would go on to receive three more Oscar nominations for his artistry. He received his final Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of a preacher in “The Apostle.” And he received two for Best Supporting Actor in two legal dramas, 1998’s “Civil Action” and 2014’s “The Judge” with Robert Downey Jr.
Other films of note during the latter stages of his career included “Days of Thunder” with Tom Cruise, portraying Robert E. Lee in the Civil War action film “Gods and Generals,” and opposite Kevin Costner in the western “Open Range.” Duvall’s last movie appearance was in 2022’s “The Pale Blue Eye.”
Honors and Remembrance
Duvall received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. And he was honored with the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2004. He was married four times but had no children. He eschewed the Hollywood nightlife, choosing to live far from California.
Robert Duvall is survived by his wife, Luciana.
