Robert Duvall, iconic ‘Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’ actor, dead at 95
Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor whose career spanned seven decades, has died. He was 95.
His wife, Luciana Duvall, confirmed his death Feb. 15.
“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time,” Luciana, 54, wrote on FacebookMonday, adding that the actor “passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.”
Robert Duvall, here at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival, died at 95 Sunday. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Robert’s wife, Luciana Duvall confirmed in a Facebook post that Robert, pictured in “The Godfather” (1972) alongside Marlon Brando, passed away. Courtesy Everett Collection
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“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller,” the Argentine actress continued. “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.”
Luciana said that Robert “gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented” in his many acting roles.
“In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all,” she shared. “Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind.”
Luciana’s tribute included a photo of the couple posing on their Virginia ranch with a horse and two dogs.
Luciana and Robert on their Virginia ranch. Facebook/Robert Duvall
Luciana said Robert “leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all.”
Born Jan. 5, 1931, in San Diego, Robert and his two brothers were raised in Annapolis, Maryland, near the Naval Academy, where his father worked.
After he decided to pursue acting, Robert studied drama at Principia College in Illinois and then at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse, where his classmates included Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman and James Caan.
Robert’s first big movie role was as Boo Radley in 1962’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
He was recommended for the job by the film’s screenwriter, Horton Foote, with whom he worked on the 1957 play “The Midnight Caller.”
Robert in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962). Courtesy Everett Collection
His first big movie role was as Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962). Courtesy Everett Collection
In 1972, Robert starred in “The Godfather” as Tom Hagen, earning him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He reprised his role in the 1974 sequel, “The Godfather Part II.”
“It always comes back to ‘The Godfather.’ The first ones are two of the best films ever made. About a quarter of the way into it, we knew we had something special,” Robert told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2012.
However, he did not return for 1990’s “The Godfather Part III” due to salary disagreements with Paramount Pictures, director Francis Ford Coppola said during the film’s DVD commentary, according to Screen Rant.
Robert (left) notably played Tom Hagen in the first two “Godfather” films. Courtesy Everett Collection
Robert, pictured in the “The Godfather” (1972), did not return for the third “Godfather” movie. Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Robert also collaborated with Coppola on 1979’s “Apocalypse Now,” in which he says the iconic line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” This role garnered him his second Oscar nomination.
Coppola told People in 2003 of Robert, “Actors click into character at different times — the first week, third week. Bobby’s hot after one or two takes. That’s all he needs.”
Robert’s other Oscar nominations were for “The Great Santini” (1979), “The Apostle” (1997), “A Civil Action” (1998) and “The Judge” (2014).
He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1984 for “Tender Mercies,” in which he played alcoholic country singer Mac Sledge.
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Robert (second to the left) worked with “Godfather” director Francis Ford Coppola again on “Apocalypse Now.” ©United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection
Robert, here at the 2003 San Sebastian International Film Festival, was nominated for seven Oscars, winning one in 1984 for the movie “Tender Mercies.” EPA
His other popular films included “True Grit” (1969), “Tomorrow” (1972), “Days of Thunder” (1990), “The Paper” (1994), “Gone in 60 Seconds” (2000), “Gods and Generals” (2003), “Four Christmases” (2008), “Crazy Heart” (2009) and “Jack Reacher.”
He also memorably played Major Frank Burns in “M*A*S*H” (1970) and the titular character in George Lucas’ feature directorial debut “THX 1138” (1971).
His final film roles were in “Hustle” starring Adam Sandler and “The Pale Blue Eye” starring Christian Bale, both released in 2022.
He also had a prolific career on television, winning two Emmy Awards for starring in and executive producing the 2006 AMC miniseries “Broken Trail.”
Robert was also Emmy-nominated for his roles in the four-part 1989 miniseries “Lonesome Dove” and the TV films “Stalin” and “The Man Who Captured Eichmann.”
Robert on the set of “Hustle” in 2021. Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images
Robert also played General Lee in “Gods & Generals” (2003), as pictured here. Warner Bros.
Robert lived with Hoffman and Hackman in New York City in the 1960s during the early years of their careers.
During a 2013 interview with Vanity Fair, Hoffman said Robert was “outrageous” and “uncensored” and would “do anything on impulse” when they were younger.
Robert shared in the same interview that Hackman — who died in February 2025 at 95 — was “a tormented guy” who was “always into his own space, his own thing.”
Robert in the 1993 film “Wrestling Ernest Hemingway” with Richard Harris. Everett Collection
Robert and his two dogs. Facebook/Robert Duvall
Robert had no children despite being married four times, saying in 2007, “I guess I’m shooting blanks. (I’ve tried) with a lot of different women, in and out of marriage.”
He was married to announcer and dancer Barbara Benjamin from 1964 to 1975, Gail Youngs from 1982 to 1986 and dancer Sharon Brophy from 1991 to 1995. He tied the knot with Luciana in 2005.
She is an Argentine actress and director and the granddaughter of Argentine aviation pioneer Susana Ferrari Billinghurst.
Robert had no children despite his four marriages.
Robert, pictured here in “The Apostle” (1997), married Luciana in 2005. AP
Robert shared how the couple met in a 2010 interview with Esquire.
“I met my wife in Argentina. The flower shop was closed, so I went to the bakery. If the flower shop had been open, I never would’ve met her,” he said.
Robert, who was 41 years older than Luciana, also admitted that he initially “was a little concerned” about being with a much-younger woman.
“So I asked [actor] Wilford Brimley about it. Wilford is a very sharp guy. He used to be a bodyguard for Howard Hughes,” Robert said. “He said, ‘Let me tell you something, my friend, the worst thing in the world for an old man is an old woman!’ “
