Robert Duvall, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor known for his powerful performances in “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” has died. He was 95.
Duvall passed away “peacefully” at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday, February 15. His death was confirmed by his wife, Luciana Pedraza, in a statement released Monday.
With a career spanning six decades, Duvall became one of Hollywood’s most respected character actors, often portraying tough-guy roles with remarkable depth. He earned his first of seven Academy Award nominations playing Tom Hagen, the Corleone family’s consigliere, in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece “The Godfather,” a role he reprised in “The Godfather Part II.
“A San Diego native and son of a naval officer, Duvall served in the army during the Korean War before studying drama under Sanford Meisner in New York. There, he shared an apartment with Dustin Hoffman and socialized with Gene Hackman, who died last year.
His first pivotal film role was as the reclusive Boo Radley in 1962’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.” He went on to star in a wide array of films, including “True Grit,” “MAS*H,” and George Lucas’s directorial debut, “THX 1138.” His legendary turn as the surfing-obsessed Lt. Col. Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now” earned him another Oscar nomination and gave cinema the immortal line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
“Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his poignant portrayal of a washed-up country singer in 1983’s “Tender Mercies,” in which he performed his own vocals. He was also nominated for “The Great Santini” and later for writing and starring in his own directorial project, 1997’s “The Apostle.” His final Oscar nomination came at age 84 for the 2014 film “The Judge.
“Throughout his career, he also portrayed historical figures like Joseph Stalin and Robert E. Lee. Duvall, who was married four times, is survived by his wife, Luciana. His family suggests that those wishing to honor him do so “by watching a great film, telling a good story around a table with friends, or taking a drive in the countryside.”
