Oscar‑winning actor Robert Duvall, one of the most revered performers of his generation, has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana confirmed in a statement posted on social media and shared by his publicist. Duvall passed away peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, surrounded by loved ones.
Duvall, whose career spanned more than six decades, delivered iconic performances across American cinema – from Tom Hagen, the calm consigliere in The Godfather, to Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, and his Oscar‑winning turn as Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies. His work earned him seven Oscar nominations and cemented his standing as one of Hollywood’s most influential actors.
A flood of tributes across Hollywood
The news of Duvall’s death prompted immediate, emotional tributes from colleagues and admirers across the film industry.
Duvall’s Godfather co‑star Al Pacino released a heartfelt statement describing the actor as a once‑in‑a‑generation talent:
“It was an honor to have worked with Robert Duvall. He was a born actor… his phenomenal gift will always be remembered. I will miss him.”
Pacino and Duvall shared the screen in The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974), their performances forming a cornerstone of modern American film.
Fellow Godfather Part II star Robert De Niro also issued a tribute:
“God bless Bobby. I hope I can live till I’m 95. May he rest in peace.”
Although De Niro and Duvall did not share scenes in The Godfather Part II – De Niro played the young Vito Corleone – the two actors have long been linked through the film’s legacy and their later collaborations, including True Confessions (1981).
A career that shaped American Cinema
Duvall began his film career in 1962 as the mysterious Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. His understated intensity and total immersion in character defined a generation of performers that included peers such as Pacino, De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and Gene Hackman.
His versatility allowed him to inhabit roles ranging from politicians to outlaws, preachers to military leaders, lawyers to cowboys. Critics often noted that Duvall “disappeared into a role” more completely than almost any other actor of his era.
A family’s farewell
In her statement announcing his passing, Luciana Duvall wrote:
“To the world, he was an Academy Award‑winning actor, a director, a storyteller.
To me, he was simply everything.”
She added that her husband’s passion for the craft was matched only by his love for people, good food, and vibrant conversation.
Robert Duvall’s death marks the loss of one of Hollywood’s most respected and enduring artists. His presence – quiet, authoritative, deeply human – left an indelible imprint on American film.
Sources: CNA, CBS News, Variety, Hollywood Reporter