Early on Monday, tributes poured in for Hollywood icon Robert Duvall following the news of his passing at the age of 95. The acclaimed actor, known for his powerful performances in classics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, died peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort, as confirmed by his wife Luciana.
Emotional Tributes from Fellow Stars
Alec Baldwin appeared visibly emotional, sharing a heartfelt video on Instagram where he spoke about Duvall's immense impact. In the clip, filmed in his kitchen while wearing a black shirt, Baldwin reflected on the actor's vast career, particularly highlighting his wordless performance as Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird. He described those scenes as arresting and shattering, emphasizing Duvall's unique ability to convey depth without dialogue.
Jane Seymour's Poignant Memories
Former Bond girl Jane Seymour posted a sweet tribute on Instagram, sharing a photo with Duvall and praising his craft. The British-born actress wrote that while some actors merely perform, Duvall completely inhabited his roles, bringing honesty, weight, and grace to the screen. She fondly recalled working with him on The Stars Fell on Henrietta, mentioning memorable off-camera moments like sharing barbecue and dancing the tango.
Adam Sandler's Heartfelt Words
Adam Sandler, who co-starred with Duvall in the 2022 sports comedy-drama Hustle, also took to Instagram to honor the late actor. Sandler described Duvall as funny, strong, and one of the greatest actors ever, expressing deep affection and sending condolences to his family. He encouraged fans to revisit Duvall's legendary filmography.
A Storied Career and Personal Life
Robert Duvall was born in San Diego, California, in January 1931, the son of a rear admiral in the US Navy. Though he briefly served in the Army during the Korean War, he pursued acting after struggling in other fields, once telling People magazine he was terrible at everything but acting. He studied drama at Principia College and honed his skills at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City alongside future stars like Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.
Duvall's career spanned decades, with early attention from theatre roles before breaking into film with movies such as Bullitt and True Grit. He earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Tom Hagen in The Godfather in 1972, reprising it in the 1974 sequel. His portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now in 1979 became iconic, and he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983 for Tender Mercies.
Later roles included commercial hits like Gone In 60 Seconds and Days Of Thunder, as well as critically acclaimed performances in The Apostle and The Judge. Duvall, a two-time Emmy winner, was married four times and is survived by his wife Luciana, who shared a touching statement on Facebook celebrating his life and legacy.
