Veteran actor Anupam Kher has paid an emotional tribute to Hollywood legend Robert Duvall while mourning the demise of one of cinema’s most quietly powerful actors. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Anupam described Robert as “the kind of actor who never needed noise to get attention.”
Anupam Kher mourns the demise of Robert Duvall
He praised Robert’s ability to bring extraordinary depth to every role, from the restrained authority of Tom Hagen in The Godfather to the fearsome intensity of Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.
“In loving memory of Robert Duvall…
#RobertDuvall was an actor who never needed noise to attract attention. Calm, precise and extremely truthful, he brought extraordinary depth to every role he played. For me, he was always one of the favorites – not because he wanted to be in the spotlight, but because he never needed it.
From the restrained strength of Tom Hagen in The Godfather to the terrifying intensity of Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, Duvall created characters that linger long after the screen goes black. Her Oscar-winning performance in Tender Mercies revealed a rare vulnerability, while films like The Apostle and Lonesome Dove showcased her fearless commitment to complex, deeply human stories,” Anupam wrote.
Anupam highlighted Duvall’s Oscar-winning performance in Tender Mercies as her rare vulnerability, as well as her fearless commitment to complex characters in works such as The Apostle and the Western epic Lonesome Dove.
Anupam said, “He was brilliant without being flamboyant. Powerful without being theatrical. A masterclass to say the least. 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.”
He ended his tribute with a solemn farewell: “May you continue to be blessed. Your work will continue to teach, inspire and endure. Om Shanti!”
About the legacy of Robert Duvall
Legendary actor Robert Duvall, whose career spanned more than six decades, died peacefully at his home on February 15, 2026, at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall announced. His family confirmed that he died surrounded by loved ones, with no specific cause of death given other than to die “peacefully”.
Robert began acting in the 1950s after studying theater in New York and made his screen debut in the 1956 film Somebody Up There Likes Me, later earning early recognition in his first major film role as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird.
While fellow stars such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Adam Sandler, Viola Davis and Michael Keaton publicly mourned his loss, tributes have poured in from around the world, praising his craft, humanity and lasting impact on cinema.