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
17 Facts About Robert Duvall's Life and Family
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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.
- #038
Duvall hosted a fundraiser for Rudy Giuliani at his Hollywood home. After Giuliani withdrew from the race, he supported John McCain.
- #041
In the 1978 film The Betsy, Duvall played Laurence Olivier's grandson. In real life, he was only 23 years younger than Olivier.
- #049
Duvall is the former brother-in-law of John Savage and Jim Youngs. These family ties broadened his connections in Hollywood.
- #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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