Robert Duvall and Al Pacino in the film "The Godfather II"
In an obituary published in The New York Times, it was reported about Duvall's death, which was announced by his wife, Luciana. She noted that the actor passed away at his farm in Plains, Fauquier County, Virginia. On January 5, 2023, the actor celebrated his 95th birthday; throughout his long career, spanning over 70 years, he appeared in nearly a hundred films. His last role was in the film "The Way Back to the NBA," which was released in 2022.
According to the newspaper, Duvall possessed outstanding acting skills, allowing him to easily transform into various characters—from a mob lawyer to a weary country singer, from a cynical detective to a tough pilot in Vietnam.
Duvall was known for his ability to immerse himself so deeply into roles that he literally disappeared into them. This quality was noted by Australian director Bruce Beresford, who worked with him on the 1983 film "Tender Mercies." "It wasn't just Duvall; he is that character," Beresford said.
However, the actor disagreed with this opinion. In a 1989 interview, he stated, "I don't become the character! It's still me—just altered."
Nevertheless, audiences and critics found his transformations impressive. Duvall, with his unique voice and appearance that did not conform to traditional Hollywood standards, became a completely different person each time.
Since the beginning of his career in the 1960s, he stood out for his attention to detail, which shaped each of his roles. Growing up in a family of a naval officer, he learned to notice the nuances of speech and behavior in people, which later helped him in his acting career. "I hang out in the memories of a person," he said about his working method.
In preparing for the role of Mac Sledge, he not only sang with a country band but also traveled through East Texas in search of accents.
For other roles, he also interacted with various people, including street criminals, to more accurately portray his characters. His most notable role was that of Tom Hagen in the first two "Godfather" films, which made him a star.
Duvall also honed his skills by speaking with detectives before filming "True Confessions," and for his theatrical role in "American Buffalo," he adopted the habit of carrying a weapon from a former convict.
His attention to detail was evident in other roles, including Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meechum in "The Great Santini," a media executive in "Network," and Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now." The latter character became iconic, and many viewers still quote his famous line about "the smell of napalm in the morning."
Duvall, possessing a unique acting range, was often compared to Laurence Olivier. Critic Vincent Canby in 1980 called him "the American Olivier," while director Herbert Ross noted that only Duvall and George C. Scott could rival Olivier in range.
His acting debut was in the classic 1962 film "To Kill a Mockingbird," where he played the reclusive neighbor Boo Radley. After the film's release, fans were surprised to see him in this role, and even Harper Lee sent him a congratulatory telegram.
Duvall also noted that one of his favorite roles was that of Texas Ranger Augustus McCrae in the 1989 miniseries "Lonesome Dove." He said, "Let the English play Hamlet, and I'll play McCrae."
This role earned him an Emmy nomination, and many years later, he won an award for his work in the film "Broken Trail" (2006).
In addition to acting, Duvall tried his hand at directing, financing projects that interested him. His personal film was "The Apostle" (1997), where he was also the screenwriter and starred in the lead role, which again earned him an Oscar nomination.
His independence and desire for self-expression sometimes led to conflicts with directors. "I accept direction only if it complements what I want to do," he emphasized.
Francis Ford Coppola, who made Duvall famous in "The Godfather," remained a special person in his life. However, Duvall refused to return to the role in the third film due to a disagreement over fees.
Robert Selden Duvall was born on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, to Rear Admiral William Duvall and Mildred. His childhood was spent moving frequently. At Principia College, he turned to acting, realizing that he was not succeeding in other fields.
After serving in the army, he moved to New York in 1955, where he studied under Sanford Meisner and befriended Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman. Starting with a job at the post office, he soon landed roles on television and then in "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Duvall preferred solitude, living on a ranch in Virginia with his fourth wife, Argentine Luciana Pedraza, whom he met in Buenos Aires while indulging in tango.
He also held strong political beliefs, being a conservative and supporting Republicans. In 2005, President George Bush awarded him the National Medal of Arts.
Over time, major roles became less frequent, but he continued to play strong characters, such as an editor in "The Paper," a doctor in "Phenomenon," an astronaut in "Impact," and a lawyer in "A Civil Action." One of his last notable works was a role in the film "The Judge" (2014).
From the very beginning of his career, he valued supporting roles. "Someone said that the best life is that of a second lead actor," Duvall emphasized. "You travel, get per diem, and the role can be even more significant, without the burden of the whole film."
