Actor Robert Duvall, best known for ‘The Godfather,’ passes away at 95
Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, who was best known for his roles in “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” has died at the age of 95, according to his family.
His wife, Lucianna, posted on Facebook Monday, saying Duvall died on Sunday at their home.
“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller,” she wrote. “To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.”
The family did not say how Duvall died and said they would not hold a formal funeral service. Instead, the family said those interested in honoring Duvall can do so by “watching a great film, telling a good story around a table with friends, or taking a drive in the countryside to appreciate the world’s beauty.”
A career spanning decades
Duvall began his acting career in theater before moving over to television. During this time, Duvall would regularly appear as a guest actor on several shows.
Then in 1962, Duvall made his jump to the big screen playing the role of Boo Radley in the critically acclaimed “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Following his film debut, Duvall began receiving multiple offers and appeared in a number of films, including the 1969 film “True Grit.”
In 1970, Duvall gained more fame for his role as Major Frank Burns in “M*A*S*H.” However, one of his most famous roles was portraying Tom Hagen in “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II.” His portrayal earned him his first of many Academy Award nominations.
After a few years of playing supporting roles, director Francis Ford Coppola cast Duvall in “Apocalypse Now” as Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Kilgore. This role won Duvall a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for supporting work.
Duvall continued to act in dozens of films, including “Tender Mercies,” but in 1990, he declined to reprise his role in “The Godfather Part III,” citing compensation issues. In the 1990s, he appeared in films like “The Apostle” and “Deep Impact.” By the turn of the century, Duvall appeared in small roles for films like “Gone in 60 Seconds” and “Kicking & Screaming.”
Duvall’s acting career spanned decades and was celebrated in 2005 by former President George W. Bush, who awarded Duvall the National Medal of Arts at the White House.
In 2022, Duvall made his final appearance in the Netflix films “Hustle” and “The Pale Blue Eyes.”
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
