Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor who portrayed some of the most enduring characters in American cinema across a career spanning six decades, died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday. He was 95.
His death was confirmed in a statement released by his PR agency on behalf of his wife, Luciana. “To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything,” she said. “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.”
Duvall was widely celebrated for his versatility and his ability to inhabit “tough-guy” roles, most notably as the Corleone family’s loyal consigliere, Tom Hagen, in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. Coppola, who also directed Duvall as the surfing-obsessed Lieutenant Colonel William Kilgore in the Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now, described the actor’s death as “a blow.” Coppola stated on Instagram that Duvall was “such a great actor and such an essential part of American Zoetrope from its beginning.”
Though his screen time in Apocalypse Now was brief, Duvall’s delivery of the line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning,” became an iconic piece of film history. Discussing his preparation for the role in 2015, Duvall told host Larry King, “I did my homework. I did my research.”
Tributes from the film industry arrived quickly following the news. His Godfather co-star Al Pacino said it was an “honour” to work with him. “He was a born actor as they say, his connection with it, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will always be remembered,” Pacino said. “I will miss him.” Other peers, including Adam Sandler, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Robert Patrick, shared their condolences, with Sandler calling him “one of the greatest actors we ever had.”
Duvall’s career began with a wordless, haunting debut as the reclusive Boo Radley in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird. US actor Alec Baldwin, reflecting on that performance, remarked, “When he did To Kill A Mockingbird he just destroyed you with his performance of Boo Radley, he used not a single word of dialogue, not a single word, and he just shatters you.”
Nominated for seven Academy Awards, Duvall won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1983 for his portrayal of a washed-up country singer in Tender Mercies. His expansive filmography included notable roles in Network, The Great Santini, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Judge. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the 1997 drama The Apostle. Despite his many cinematic accolades, Duvall frequently cited his role as Texas Ranger Augustus McCrae in the 1989 miniseries Lonesome Dove as his personal favorite.
British actress Jane Seymour, who worked with him on The Stars Fell on Henrietta, recalled his personality off-camera, noting his love for barbecue and tango. This sentiment was echoed by Robert Patrick, who played Duvall’s son in Jayne Mansfield’s Car and recalled their frequent chats about movies and food.
The statement from Duvall’s wife emphasized his dedication to the authenticity of his performances. “For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all,” she said. “Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind.”
SOURCE: BBC.com