Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, acclaimed for roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, dies aged 95

Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, acclaimed for roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, dies aged 95
Robert Duvall, best supporting actor nominee for his role in "The Judge", arrives at the 87th Academy Awards nominees luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, 2 February, 2015
Reuters

Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor renowned for his steely intensity and commanding performances in films including The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95.

Duvall died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday, according to a statement issued by his public relations agency on behalf of his wife, Luciana. She confirmed his passing in a message shared on Monday.

“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend and one of the greatest actors of our time,” she wrote, “Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.”

“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything,” she added, thanking supporters for their years of encouragement and requesting privacy as the family celebrates his memory.

No formal service will be held. Instead, the family encouraged those wishing to honour him to watch a great film, share a story around a table with friends, or take a drive in the countryside.

A career spanning seven decades

Over a screen career that stretched more than six decades, Duvall built a reputation as one of the most respected actors of his generation. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a washed-up country singer in the 1983 drama Tender Mercies, one of seven Oscar nominations during his career.

He became widely known for his role as Tom Hagen in The Godfather and reprised the part in The Godfather Part II. His performance as the enigmatic Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now delivered one of cinema’s most memorable lines and cemented his status as a commanding screen presence.

Among his many other notable films were The Conversation, Network and The Natural, as well as acclaimed performances in television and independent cinema. Whether playing military officers, lawyers, preachers or patriarchs, Duvall brought a quiet authority and emotional depth that made him one of Hollywood’s most enduring figures.

A lasting legacy

Known for his disciplined craft and understated style, Duvall was widely regarded as an actor’s actor, admired by peers and directors alike for his commitment to character and authenticity.

In her tribute, Luciana described his devotion to storytelling and the “truth of the human spirit” he sought to portray in each role.

With a career defined by longevity, range and critical acclaim, Robert Duvall leaves behind a body of work that shaped American cinema for generations.

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