Legendary actor from The Godfather and Oscar winner Robert Duvall dies at 95
Robert Duvall (still from the film Widows)
According to Duvall’s PR agency, speaking on behalf of his wife Luciana, the actor passed away peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday.
The statement noted that no official funeral ceremony is planned.
Instead, the family encouraged anyone wishing to honor the actor’s memory to do so in their own way: watch a favorite film featuring him, share a story around the table with friends, or take a trip through the countryside to experience the beauty of the world.
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Robert Duvall (Photo: Wikipedia)
Brief biography of Robert Duvall
Duvall was born in San Diego to a military family; his father, William Howard Duvall, later became an admiral.
His mother, Mildred Virginia Hart, was a descendant of General Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate forces during the US Civil War.
Due to his father’s service, the family lived for a time in Annapolis, near the United States Naval Academy.
Duvall attended schools in Maryland and Missouri and graduated from Principia College in Illinois in 1953.
Robert Duvall (still from the film Lucky You)
From 1953 to 1954, he served in the US Army and was discharged with the rank of Private First Class.
In 1954, Duvall enrolled at the renowned Neighborhood Playhouse acting school in New York City.
While studying, he worked part-time as a clerk at the post office. It was there that he met future stars Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman.
His mentor was acting teacher Sanford Meisner, who involved Duvall in a production of Horton Foote’s play The Midnight Caller.
Collaboration with Foote proved crucial for launching Duvall’s film career — Foote recommended him for the role of Boo Radley in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird.
Later, Robert became one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, gaining worldwide recognition for his roles as Tom Hagen in The Godfather and Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.
Robert Duvall (still from the film The Godfather)
Over his career, the actor received an Oscar, several Golden Globes, and other prestigious awards.
Robert Duvall (still from the film Apocalypse Now)
Duvall leaves behind a vast creative legacy that has influenced generations of actors and audiences around the world.
