ACTOR · BORN 1931 · DIED 2026
Robert Duvall
- Born
- 5 January 1931, San Diego, California, USA
- Died
- 15 February 2026
- Known for
- The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), Apocalypse Now (1979), Jack Reacher (2012)
54 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (54)
- #001
Robert Duvall shared a house in New York with Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman during the period when all three were doing stage acting, and none of them had yet become famous. Hoffman and Duvall were known for their relationships with women, while Duvall and Hackman's short tempers often led to bar fights. The trio strengthened their bond by playing elaborate pranks on one another.
- #002
Duvall cites his role as former Texas Ranger Augustus McCrae in the 1989 miniseries Lonesome Dove as the work he is most proud of in his career. The performance is regarded as a masterpiece that displays his mastery of the western genre and his character depth.
- #003
Duvall owns a large tract of land in rural Virginia that was the site of some of the clashes of the Civil War. He has found bullets and other historical artifacts on this land. Some scenes from the 2003 film Gods and Generals were also shot on his property.
- #004
With the death of Rosemary Murphy on July 5, 2014, Duvall became the last surviving adult cast member of the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird. The film is regarded as one of the most important productions in cinema history.
- #005
Duvall appeared in eight films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), M*A*S*H (1970), The Godfather (1972), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Network (1976), Apocalypse Now (1979) and Tender Mercies (1983). Of these, The Godfather and The Godfather Part II won the award.
- #006
Duvall was a student of Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and trained in his method for two years. His classmates during this period included Dustin Hoffman, James Caan and Gene Hackman.
- #007
Duvall speaks fluent Spanish. This language skill also aligns with his attachment to Argentina and his passion for tango.
- #008
Duvall both directed and starred in the 1997 film The Apostle, delivering a performance that earned him an Oscar nomination. The film is an important work that showcases his talents as both an actor and a director.
- #009
Duvall is descended from Robert E. Lee and can trace his family back to George Washington. Although Washington had no biological children, he adopted the children of his wife Martha Custis from her first marriage. Through this connection, Duvall portrayed Lee in the 2003 film Gods and Generals and appeared opposite Jeff Daniels, who played Washington in The Crossing.
- #010
While rehearsing for his role in the 2003 film Open Range, Duvall fell from a horse and broke several ribs. The accident demonstrates his determination and professionalism in action scenes.
- #011
Duvall appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and Tender Mercies (1983), both written by Horton Foote. Each film earned Foote a Best Screenplay Oscar, and Duvall's performances in these productions hold an important place in cinema history.
- #012
Duvall's favorite city is Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. A passionate tango dancer as well, Duvall frequently expresses his love for the city.
- #013
Duvall travels to Argentina at least five times a year and has a house there. His strong bond with the country reflects his interest in cultural diversity.
- #014
Duvall lived with Luciana Pedraza for seven years before marrying her, and they wed on October 6, 2004. Although Pedraza is 41 years younger than Duvall, the couple's compatibility draws attention.
- #015
Duvall received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 18, 2003, at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. The honor reflects his contributions to the world of cinema.
- #016
Duvall was considered for the role of Police Chief Martin Brody in the 1975 film Jaws, but the part went to Roy Scheider. The role became one of the most iconic characters in cinema history.
- #017
In 1998, Duvall received an honorary doctorate from the Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia. The award reflects recognition of his achievements in the arts.
- #018
Duvall portrayed his ancestor Robert E. Lee in the 2003 film Gods and Generals. Duvall stepped in after Martin Sheen was unable to reprise the role due to his commitments to the series The West Wing.
- #019
After The Apostle (1997) was rejected by many studios, Duvall put up 5 million dollars of his own money to finance the production. This sacrifice demonstrates his belief in the project and the importance he places on independent cinema.
- #020
During a difficult period, Duvall worked as a postal clerk, a job he quit after six months. Saying 20 years later that he still did not want to work at a post office, Duvall notes that this decision was one of the turning points in his career.
- #021
Duvall publicly criticized director Steven Spielberg for traveling to Cuba in October 2002 and declared that he would never again work for the DreamWorks studio. The incident showed that Duvall was not afraid to state his political views openly.
- #022
Duvall's performance as Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies (1983) ranked 14th on Premiere magazine's 2006 list of the 100 Best Performances of All Time. The performance is regarded as the peak of his dramatic ability.
- #023
On June 11, 2006, Duvall watched Broken Trail (2006) at a special screening at the White House alongside President George W. Bush. The event reflected his political connections and his standing in the film world.
- #024
Duvall was born to William Howard Duvall, a rear admiral in the United States Navy, and Mildred Virginia Hart, an amateur actress. His father's military career meant he grew up in a disciplined environment.
- #025
Duvall was considered for the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs, but the part went to Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins's performance went down in cinema history.
- #026
Director Robert Altman's first choice for the country singer role in the 1975 film Nashville was Duvall. When Duvall's schedule did not work out, however, the role went to Henry Gibson.
- #027
A big football fan, Duvall supports the Argentina national team. This passion is also tied to his interest in Argentine culture.
- #028
A loyal supporter of the Republican Party, Duvall was personally invited to George W. Bush's 2001 presidential inauguration and attended the ceremony. This makes his political stance clear.
- #029
Duvall served in the United States Army from August 19, 1953, to August 20, 1954, and reached the rank of private first class. During this time he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
- #030
Duvall is the middle of three brothers. His older brother William Duvall and his younger brother John Duvall appeared as singers in the 1983 film Angelo My Love.
- #031
Duvall's performance as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now (1979) ranked 59th on Premiere magazine's list of the 100 Best Movie Characters of All Time. The character has become one of the unforgettable figures of cinema history.
- #032
Duvall's ancestry is English, German, Swiss-German, French, Welsh and Scottish. His French Huguenot ancestors emigrated to the United States in the 1700s.
- #033
In 2008, Duvall narrated a video supporting John McCain for the Republican National Convention. This shows that he actively supported his political views.
- #034
Duvall's family is connected to both candidates in the 2008 presidential election. One of his ancestors, Mareen Duvall, is also an ancestor of Barack Obama. In addition, John McCain's family has an ancestor who worked with George Washington, and Duvall is also related to Washington.
- #035
Duvall studied liberal arts at Principia College in Illinois. There he took part in campus theater productions, and this experience helped steer him toward an acting career.
- #036
Duvall named the 1985 film My Life as a Dog as one of his favorite films. The film reflects his taste in cinema and his interest in different genres.
- #037
Duvall has appeared in eight films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant: To Kill a Mockingbird, Bullitt, M*A*S*H, The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather Part II, Network and Apocalypse Now.
- #038
Duvall hosted a fundraiser for Rudy Giuliani at his Hollywood home. After Giuliani withdrew from the race, he supported John McCain.
- #039
Duvall began his film career with To Kill a Mockingbird and over time moved toward leading-character roles and directing. This progression shows the range of his talents.
- #040
As of 2018, Duvall had appeared alongside eight Oscar-winning acting performances: Gregory Peck, John Wayne, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Beatrice Straight, Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch and Jeff Bridges. This shows that he worked with major figures in cinema history.
- #041
In the 1978 film The Betsy, Duvall played Laurence Olivier's grandson. In real life, he was only 23 years younger than Olivier.
- #042
Despite a common misconception, Duvall is not related to Shelley Duvall. There is no family connection between the two actors.
- #043
Duvall trained in acting under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse Theatre School in New York. He later appeared on stage at St Marks Playhouse in the plays 'A View From the Bridge' and 'Tomorrow'.
- #044
On 19 August 2019, Duvall was the subject of a false death report. This report was disproven by the fact that he is still alive and continuing his career.
- #045
In the 2003 film Gods and Generals, Duvall played his ancestor Robert E. Lee. Martin Sheen had previously played the role in Gettysburg (1993). Duvall and Sheen had appeared together in Apocalypse Now (1979).
- #046
Duvall was considered for the role of Mitch Leary in the 1993 film In the Line of Fire, but the role went to John Malkovich. Malkovich's performance was widely praised.
- #047
In response to criticism of Duvall's trip to Cuba, Steven Spielberg stated that he had gone as a cultural ambassador with the permission of the US government. This statement helped calm the controversy.
- #048
In 2005, Duvall was awarded the National Medal of Arts. The award shows that his contributions to the art world were recognized by the state.
- #049
Duvall is the former brother-in-law of John Savage and Jim Youngs. These family ties broadened his connections in Hollywood.
- #050
Kirsty Mitchell's debut performance came in the 2000 film A Shot at Glory, in which she played Robert Duvall's daughter. The role was an important step in Mitchell's career.
- #051
Duvall appeared in six films on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 best films: To Kill a Mockingbird, M*A*S*H, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Network and Apocalypse Now. This underlines his importance in cinema history.
- #052
After years of performing in repertory theatre and Off-Broadway plays, Duvall began taking significant roles in television series. Despite his thinning hair, he quickly built a successful career.
- #053
Duvall was set to star in the 1986 film Cat Chaser. However, the project did not come together and the film was made with another actor.
- #054
Duvall's third marriage was to the dancer Sharon Brophy, and the marriage ended in 1965. It is known as one of the difficulties in his private life.
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