Los Angeles: Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, best known for his performances in the ‘Godfather’ films, ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ among others, has died at the age of 95, reports Variety.
The actor’s wife Luciana Duvall announced his death with an emotional tribute on Facebook.
She wrote, “Yesterday we said goodbye to our beloved husband, dear friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully in the love and comfort of his home.”
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Pouring out her heart in a touching message, Luciana remembered the late actor calling her her “everything”.
“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love of characters, a great meal and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to the truth of his characters and the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he left something lasting and unforgettable for all of us. For the support over the years Bob showed us and we celebrate Thank you for giving us this time to celebrate and the memories it leaves behind. He added.
As soon as this news came out, condolences and tributes started pouring in on social media platforms.
Many remembered the actor’s acclaimed works as well as his contribution to the film industry. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis paid tribute to the late actor, calling him her “greatest mentor”.
According to People, Robert Duvall, a talented man with a career spanning 70 years, was born in San Diego, California in 1931.
After initially being associated with New York theatre, he made his big screen debut in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. In 1965, he won an Obie for his Off-Broadway performance in ‘A View from the Bridge’, followed by his Broadway debut in 1966 in ‘Wait Until Dark’.
He became famous for his work as a character actor and then, in the ’60s, appeared in films like ‘Bullitt’ and ‘True Girls’. Duvall finally received praise for her work in ‘M*A*S*H’ in 1970.
In 1972, he appeared as Tom Hagen, the adopted son of the Corleone family, in ‘The Godfather’, winning his first Oscar nomination. He appeared in the film’s 1974 sequel.
In 1979, Duvall was seen as Lt. Colonel Kilgore in the classic ‘Apocalypse Now’, earning his second Oscar nomination. The following year, he won his third Oscar for the leading role in ‘The Great Santini’.
Ultimately, in 1983, Robert Duvall won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in ‘Tender Mercies’ directed by Bruce Beresford.
“I think the main reason for wanting an Academy Award is the artistic power and freedom it gives you. The right to choose your director, the right to have control over the project,” he told People in 1984, a few weeks before the ceremony.
His film credits include ‘Network’, ‘Days of Thunder’, ‘Sling Blade’, ‘The Scarlet Letter’, ‘Jack Reacher’, ‘Deep Impact’ and ‘Thank You for Smoking’.
He also earned Best Actor Oscar nominations for his own directorial ventures – the 1997 film ‘The Apostle’ and 2014’s ‘The Judge’, which earned him his seventh Oscar nod.
His illustrious career didn’t just stop at films, he was seen on television in shows like ‘Lonesome Dove’ and ‘Broken Trail’ and became a five-time Emmy nominee.
One of Robert Duvall’s final screen roles came in 2022 with Scott Cooper’s ‘The Pale Blue Eye’.