Mumbai: Legendary actor Anupam Kher paid tribute to Hollywood star Robert Duvall, who breathed his last on Sunday at the age of 95.
Remembering the ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ actor, Kher wrote, “In memory of Robert Duvall… Robert Duvall was the kind of actor who never needed noise to attract attention. Quiet, precise and extremely true, he brought an extraordinary depth to every role he played. For me, he was always one of the favorites – not because he sought the limelight, but because he never needed it.”
Reminiscing about his role in ‘The Godfather’, he said, “From the restrained power of Tom Hagen in The Godfather to the terrifying intensity of Lt. Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, Duvall created characters that linger long after the screen goes black. His Oscar-winning performance in Tender Mercies revealed a rare vulnerability, while films like The Apostle and Lonesome Dove offered complex, deep Showcased his fearless commitment to human stories.”
Add Zee News as favorite source
Calling him a “brilliant” performer, she shared, “He was brilliant without being pompous. Powerful without being theatrical. In short, a masterclass.”
The renowned star ended his heartfelt tribute with, “Actors like Robert Duvall don’t just perform – they become. And in doing so, they quietly raise the bar for all of us who love this art. May you be blessed. Your work will continue to teach, inspire, and endure. Om Shanti!”
Earlier, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has paid an emotional tribute to legendary actor and filmmaker Robert Duvall following his death at the age of 95, celebrating a career that redefined screen acting across generations.
Duvall died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia on February 15, 2026. In an emotional social media post, the Academy honored his extraordinary work, describing his performance as a “masterclass in restraint and authenticity that will continue to inspire artists and audiences alike.”
Born in 1931, Duvall had a career spanning seven decades, earning a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
His breakthrough came with a brief but unforgettable turn as the reclusive Boo Radley in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. The performance signaled the arrival of a remarkable talent known for her natural style and quiet intensity.
He achieved worldwide fame as Tom Hagen, the Corleone family’s trusted advisor, in ‘The Godfather’ and its sequels.
This role cemented her status as a formidable screen presence, capable of commanding attention even without direct theatrics.
In 1979, Duvall delivered one of cinema’s most iconic lines, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”, as Lt. Colonel Kilgore in ‘Apocalypse Now’. The same year, he played an overbearing marine father in ‘The Great Santini’. His portrayal of a washed-up country singer looking for redemption in ‘Tender Mercies’ earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983, marking the pinnacle of a career filled with accolades.
Over the years, Duvall received seven Oscar nominations, four Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
On television, he won hearts as beloved Texas Ranger Gus McCray in Lonesome Dove, a role he once described as his personal favorite.
Beyond acting, Duvall was an accomplished filmmaker. He wrote, directed and self-financed ‘The Apostle,’ a passion project that earned him another Oscar nomination.