Robert Duvall, an Oscar and Emmy-winning actor whose career spanned seven decades, has died. One of the most acclaimed and prolific actors of his generation, Duvall starred in iconic films like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Network. Duvall died at home yesterday at age 95. Duvall was born on January 5, 1931 in San Diego, California. After serving in the Korean War, he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York alongside fellow future legends Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, and Gene Hackman. After a series of well-received stage performances, he started appearing in small roles on television programs like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and The Outer Limits. He made his big-screen debut in the small but pivotal role of Boo Radley in 1962’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and followed that up with supporting roles in films like True Grit, M*A*S*H, and George Lucas’ directorial debut, THX 1138.
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Duvall’s big breakout came in 1972 when he starred as Mafia consigliere Tom Hagen in The Godfather; he received his first Oscar nomination for the role, one of seven he would garner over the course of his career. The role made Duvall an in-demand character actor: People Magazine called him “Hollywood’s No. 1 No. 2 lead.” He subsequently had showy roles in The Killer Elite, Network, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Apocalypse Now, and The Great Santini; for his roles in the latter two, as the zealous Colonel Kilgore and a domineering father, he earned two more Oscar nominations. He’d win his first and only Oscar in 1983 as a leading man; in the low-key drama Tender Mercies, he starred as Mac Sledge, a country singer trying to turn his life around. In the late 1980s, he earned an Emmy nomination for the acclaimed Western miniseries Lonesome Dove; Duvall would later describe his role of aging Texas Ranger Gus McCrae as his favorite part to play. Duvall was perpetually busy; he earned Oscar nominations for the legal dramas A Civil Action and The Judge, and starred in films like Days of Thunder, Falling Down, Deep Impact, Open Range, Get Low, and Jack Reacher. Later in his career, Duvall turned his eye to directing, as well. He directed, wrote, and starred in 1996’s The Apostle as a preacher on the run from the law; he earned an Oscar nomination for his performance. He also directed Assassination Tango, a thriller that allowed Duvall to indulge in his love of tango dancing. Duvall remained busy past his 90th birthday, starring in Hustle and The Pale Blue Eye in 2022.

Duvall is survived by his fourth wife, Luciana Pedraza. Collider extends our sympathies to Duvall’s friends and family, and to all fans of his distinguished body of work.

Release Date

March 24, 1972

Runtime

175 minutes

Director

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers

Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola

Producers

Albert S. Ruddy, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans