Hollywood Pays Tribute to Robert Duvall: ‘One of the Greatest Actors We Ever Had’
Society of Rock
Tributes From Friends and Co-Stars
Hollywood figures shared heartfelt messages after the death of Robert Duvall, praising his long career and the mark he left on film. The actor, who won an Academy Award and earned seven Oscar nominations, died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday. His passing led to an outpouring of respect from fellow performers and directors who worked with him over six decades.
Robert De Niro, who appeared with Duvall in The Godfather Part II, said: “God bless Bobby. I hope I can live till I’m 95. May he rest in peace.” Al Pacino also shared his thoughts, writing: “He was a born actor as they say, his connection with it, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will always be remembered. I will miss him.”
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A Career of Defining Roles
During his career, Duvall built a reputation for playing strong and complex figures. He portrayed the mafia lawyer Tom Hagen in The Godfather and reprised the role in its sequel. He later took on the part of a determined officer in Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Though he appeared on screen for only a short time in Apocalypse Now, one line became part of film history: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”. Coppola described his death as “a blow”. “Such a great actor and such an essential part of American Zoetrope from its beginning,” the director said in a statement on Instagram, referring to his production company.
Craft and Preparation
Duvall once explained how he approached his work. Speaking to talk show host Larry King in 2015, he said: “I did my homework,” and added, “I did my research.” His role in Apocalypse Now had first been written in a broader style, with the name Captain Carnage. Duvall worked to ground the character, who was renamed Lieutenant Colonel William Kilgore.
His commitment to detail shaped many of his performances. He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1983 for playing a troubled country singer in Tender Mercies. Over the years, he also appeared in Network, The Great Santini, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Judge.
Colleagues Remember a Mentor
Actor Walton Goggins, who worked with Duvall on The Apostle, called him a guide and close friend. “The celestial light just lost its glow. It certainly did for me,” Goggins wrote. “Bobby Duvall, the greatest storyteller of all time just left us.
“He was my friend. My mentor… The privilege of getting to work with this man, to know this man is still the most important experience of my life. He was my North Star, my hero. He knew it.”
Goggins said they “maintained a deep friendship for years after” making the film. “He didn’t have to do that. But he did. He had that effect on a lot of people… but this was my story. I love you Bobby. Thank you for changing my life.”
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Praise From Across the Industry
Michael Keaton, who acted with Duvall in The Paper, wrote: “Another friend goes down. Acted with and became friends.
“Shared a great afternoon on my front porch talking about horses. He was greatness personified as an actor. RIP RD.”
Josh Gad posted: “Another day. Another iconic and irreplaceable loss. Duvall was simply one of the greatest to ever do it.
“From the Godfather films to Apocalypse Now, from The Apostle to To Kill a Mocking Bird, he wasn’t just in film, he defines it through the ages. RIP.”
Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis shared a photo of Duvall as Tom Hagen and wrote: “The greatest consigliere the screen has ever seen. Bravo, Robert Duvall.”
Family Statement and Early Work
Duvall’s wife, Luciana, released a message through his public relations agency. “To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything,” she said. “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.
“For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all.
“Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind.”
Duvall made his screen debut in To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the novel by Harper Lee. He played Boo Radley without speaking. Actor Alec Baldwin said: “When he did To Kill A Mockingbird he just destroyed you with his performance of Boo Radley, he used not a single word of dialogue, not a single word, and he just shatters you,”.
Duvall later said his favorite role was Augustus McCrae in Lonesome Dove, based on the book by Larry McMurtry. Actress Jane Seymour remembered working with him on The Stars Fell on Henrietta. “We were able to share in his love of barbecue and even a little tango,” she wrote. “Those moments off camera were just as memorable as the work itself.”
Actor Robert Patrick, who appeared with Duvall in Jayne Mansfield’s Car, said he was “gutted”.
“Over the years I would call Bobby and we’d talk movies and barbecue. He loved barbecue and I’d always let him know when I was having it in Lockhart, Texas.”
“I will miss Bobby. I will always be proud that I got to play his son. Rest in peace my friend.”
