Actor Robert Duvall has died.
NYT – Robert Duvall, who drew from a seemingly bottomless reservoir of acting craftsmanship to transform himself into a business-focused Mafia lawyer, a faded country singer, a cynical police detective, a bullying Marine pilot, a surfing-obsessed Vietnam commander, a mysterious Southern recluse and scores of other film, stage and television characters, died on Sunday. He was 95.
His death was announced in a statement by his wife, Luciana Duvall, who said he had died at home. She gave no other details. He had long lived on a sprawling horse farm in Fauquier County, Va., west of Washington. (more)
Posted in Hollywood
Great portrayal of General Lee in Gods and Generals, RIP
Duvall was a descendent of Lee.
Really? That’s pretty cool!
Any statues of Duvall we can melt down to end racism?
We all have to go. He went at age 95.
Now that’s a home run of a life.
May we all be as blessed.
Augustus McCrea greatest character ever.
A million times YES!
My husband chose his grandfather name to be Gus based on the beloved character, Augustus McCrae.💙
“I’m not talking about dyin’, I’m talkin’ about livin.” That he did. From ‘Gus’ came other characters built on the same DNA; I think he found a niche there if he wanted. I will miss him greatly.
Requiescat in Pace
Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit
Lonesome Dove?
Thank you Mr. Duvall to the dedication to your craft.
I had the priveledge to enjoy many of your roles with my parents as a child and my children as a parent.
‘Lucky’ Ned Pepper was another role I enjoyed.
Lucky Ned Pepper…what a great role.
May all understand the importance of having a relationship with Jesus.
That 2 Angels escort every believer straight back to our creator.
I loved him in the Great Santini
Jane Mansfield’s Car sticks with me, beyond his obvious rolls. It was one of those movies if you are a southerner, you knew everyone portrayed in the story. Typically Billy Bob Thornton production, in the sense it was eccentric as hell. A few people in it were not acting, including Ron White. lol
When my first post-college apt. mate and I saw the movie, being Army brats, we said, “That’s my life up on that screen!”
Especially the family starting the move at o’dark hundred, and the barf at the club act!
Too many great characters from this man’s creativity in acting.
Which was written by Pat Conroy. I’ve now lost my favorite actor and favorite writer in the last few years.
Character based on USMC Colonel Donald Conroy, onetime C.O. of Marine Aviation Detachment at Pensacola NAS; one of his greatest roles was as retired Captain Augustus McCrae, Texas Rangers.
Robert Duvall in The Outer Limits
Robert Duvall appeared in two notable episodes of the original The Outer Limits (1963–1965) series, showcasing his early talent in science fiction storytelling.
“The Chameleon” (Season 1, Episode 31, 1964)
Duvall played Louis Mace, a disaffected CIA agent genetically modified to infiltrate an alien spacecraft.
Believed to carry nuclear material, the stranded alien vessel is under military threat. Mace is transformed to resemble the aliens and sent to sabotage their ship. However, he discovers they are peaceful, stranded travelers. Torn between loyalty and newfound empathy, Mace ultimately sides with the aliens, culminating in remorse after killing one—implied to be a genetic original. The episode explores themes of identity, prejudice, and humanity.
“The Inheritors” (Season 2, Episodes 10–11, 1964)
In this two-part episode, Duvall portrayed Adam Ballard, an intelligence officer investigating four soldiers who survived head wounds from meteorite-based bullets.
The injuries granted them genius-level intellect and a shared alien consciousness driving them to build a starship. Ballard uncovers their mission: to rescue handicapped children and take them to a new world where their disabilities can be healed, as part of a benevolent alien legacy. The story subverts invasion tropes, emphasizing compassion over conflict.
Speaking of the original outer limits, I occasionally still watch them on streaming TV and now at my advanced age it’s very interesting to look back and see these actors and actresses that were not all that notable often when they were playing in outer limits that became major stars
What a sad day ……Always LOVED that quirky smirk of his…. & he never phoned in a performance….that I saw
Boo Radley and Col. Kilgore….2 of my top 5 movies of all time…..
not to mention Godfather ….!
TKAM was is also the closest movie to the visual playing in my head while reading the book….exquisite casting IMHO,
The first role I ever saw him in was in To Kill A Mockingbird. One of the finest recreations of a novel ever made.
Ninety five is such a good age, but I find myself so saddened by his passing…
“A life praised,
A tear shed,
A glass raised,
A prayer said.”
🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/DVvNouIagdc
Great minds think alike! 😊 🤗 🥂 …..You might also appreciate that TKAM has a SPECIAL place in my heart, as it was THE book that got me hooked on reading….. (7th grade I believe)
I had 3 mo. to do a book report and procrastinated until the Friday before it was due (the following Monday) to start reading it……I GOT ENTHRALLED and couldn’t put it down…..
Voracious reader after that.
as for 95 …..we should be so lucky…🙏🏻
great bumper too, btw…. I’ll save that one……😉
It was a wonderful book, dear Clayton. And the movie was perfectly cast.
A small role for Mr Duvall but a pivotal one in his young career.
He couldn’t know then how expansive his career would become. Nor how at the end of his life so many accolades would come as we mourn the passing of another from the era of truly great actors. I’m sure it would humble him.
(I love your story…)
Jayne Mansfield’s Cadillac is a movie that will stun you how good it was.
I’ll have to find that one….is it Cadillac ?…..or Cadillacs….plural ? 😝🙀🥳🫢
It was about the Cadillac she died in. I saw it on one of the streaming services.
Travel well, Mr. Duvall.
He had a nice role in “Reacher.”
“Get her number!”
Who else could own the scenes with Cruise but him…mastery.
Wouldn’t watch a film with Cruise supposing to be 76″ tall & 230 lbs…. dumb casting, imo.
I was hoping someone would mention him in Reacher.
He had a couple of great parts in two episodes (one of which was a two-parter) of The Fugitive back in the mid 60’s.
He was wonderful in every movie he did. My favorite will always be Tender Mercies. RIP Mr. Duvall.
Ditto. Haven’t seen very many that I remember, but that one was special.
Always loved that film for so many good reasons. He was a master of his craft.
He had so many great roles. Max Mercy, the sportswriter in “The Natural” was another.
One of the great ones….
Secondhand lions was one of my favorites
Me too Think i have seen it around a half dozen times.
Great movie!
Yep. I have it, and watch it every once in a while. All good in that film.
I love that scene. So often wanted to do exactly that when somebody selling something came to my door. So funny!
Oh, absolutely! One of my all-time favorite movies!!
Duvall will be miss
Actually one of my favorites and i think last one I saw of his several times.
Secondhand Lions
My favorite was when he played the role of an old Texas Ranger opposite Tommy Lee Jones in “Lonesome Dove.”
May you rest in the eternal arms of the Lord, Mr. Duvall.
Lonesome Dove is an absolute American Epic!
We just re-watched Broken Trail, which we can highly recommend!
Not to be forgotten, another Western: Open Range, also recommended!
Three top tier westerns, in the column of best of the best!
Love Bluebonnet Spearman.
There was one movie where he was bringing a herd of horses to (I think), the military. They intercept and save some Chinese girls who were headed to a madam to become “Ladies of the Night”. I can not remember the title. Can you help me out Treepers? It was a really good movie. Thank you.
Broken Trail.
Thank you American Human. I really enjoyed all of Robert Duval’s movies, but for some reason this one came to mind first. It must have made some kind of impact on me I guess.
Have a wonderful Tuesday.
Yep. Thinking about binge watching Lonesome Dove now.
Sounds pretty good right about now. 😎
Mine, too. I fell madly in love with him watching it.
Chuckling here. He sure had a way with the women folk in that one. 😊
The original Frank Burns in the MASH movie, and consigliere Tom Hagen in The Godfather.
Check out the 1-hr Twilight Zone episode where he played a misfit who became obsessed with a doll house exhibit at a museum. One of my favorite episodes.
Was that the Kick the Can Episode?
“The Twilight Zone”, Miniature (1963)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734589/
First time I saw him in a movie I didn’t know it was him. That was “To Kill a Mockingbird” in which he played a bit part as Boo Radley. I believe that was his first role in a movie.
NOR DID I…. until I bought the movie and saw the credits ! Don’t know how many times I saw it without really paying close attention….
They don’t make em like that anymore. ❤️
DuVall had a brief appearance in Sling Blade, playing Carl (BB Thornton)’s bizarro old man at end of life. Best Picture Oscar and many award for Thornton, who write it, directed it, and starred in it.
“Ain’t got no gas!”…great line.
Only Duvall could pull off that ‘dad’ role.
Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird’ was, I believe, his first real major movie role. And what a production with which to start a movie career! R.I.P. to a great actor, and someone we all grew up with. Like losing a member of one’s family.
Two of my favorite movies he made were Open Range and Broken Trail…..he was the best!!
Great actor, may he RIP
One of my favorite actors..you always believed whatever role he played. RIP Robert
Best actor in all time.
We’re all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house. Birth ’til death. We travel between the eternities.”
The NY Times article was beautiful until the end when they had to gratuitously note that Duvall, while politically conservative did not come out in support of Donald Trump. Was that necessary?
The New York Slimes..
That does not mean he did not vote for him!
I have no idea why anyone reads the NYT.
Second Hand Lions
Also: Days of Thunder (w/Cruise); Falling Down; The Natural (w/Redford); Phenomenon (w/Travolta);
My new puppy was black (2001) and we were watching that movie and someone says the dog is black as Coal . I didn’t have a name yet and it hit me ! His name became Cole Trickle ! Best dog ever
THX 1138 (1971)
Robert Duvall plays worker, THX 1138, in this dystopian sci-fi.
Directed by George Lucas
As a recovering wannabe actor who took acting and directing classes and studied the craft and never was lazy with any part I played, Duvall was an actor’s actor. Every role he played was an absolute clinic for actors to study.
His portrayal of Boo in To Kill A Mockingbird was a tour de force performance, and I don’t recall him having a single line of dialog.
Duvall was great in “Jack Reacher” as a gun range owner and backup for Reacher. My favorite scenes were because of RD. 🙂
😢
He was areal down to earth guy for a big star. I’ve eaten at his restaurant The Rail Stop a number of times. I liked just about everything he did.
“Convicts” is definitely worth a watch if you can find it. A real slice of life in the South just after the slaves were “freed”.
I believe he was the greatest acting talent of our time. Versatile, believeable in any role, an actor’s actor. RIP
Damn…damn. Hackman, now Duvall. The good ones are going away. Of all his great roles, for me it was ‘Gus’ in Lonesome Dove.
RIP brother.
Hubby and I both love watching any movie “Bobbie” is in.
‘Lonesome Dove’ is probably our favorite, with ‘Secondhand Lions’ being a fabulous second.
I pray you will be buried on that quiet turn in the river, Augustus McCrae.
It’s been quite a party.
In the movie “Falling Down”, Robert Duvall played the detective who tracked Michael Douglas as he marauded across the city
The apprehension scene:
Bonus: We stopped serving breakfast at 11:30
His colonel Kilgore role in apocalypse now was based on Bo Gritz.
Also, an old school friend’s uncle.
I think some of the best parts of movie entertainment may have passed with him.
He was great, and I enjoyed simple things like pointing out to my kids that he was the taxi driver in “bullitt”, my son loves that movie
Hub….in “Second Hand Lions”
Rest in peace, good sir.
It was a totally different kind of movie, “Four Christmases” with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon – Robert Duvall played the father of Vince Vaughn’s character – whenever I watched that, thought was great fun that must have been to do, it had so many moments that seemed totally spontaneous and ridiculous and yet everything kept on track.
Consistently in top form across all his portrayals. The best actor of his generation, which has only become clearer as others from that era have be-clowned themselves in the public sphere.
will always be Gus McCrae to me
A somber bit of news to millions, because millions found identity with at least some of the characters he portrayed.
Many movies already mentioned, so I’ll add “Network,” the broad, ’70s satire that–like several from that era–now play as prophetic laments.
Good bye to a true craftsman. Well played, sir.
Welp. Looks like I will be watching The Godfather(s) again tonight…Godspeed Robert Duvall….
<Looks like I will be watching The Godfather(s) again tonight…>
‘You’ll have to show cause in the morning’ 🙂
I enjoyed every movie /tv series this American icon ever made or starred in.
God bless him.
One by one the true actors and actresses and producers and directors of real Hollywood have left us and NONE can replace them.
The outlaw in True Grit.
Loved watching him in the roles he played.
I love his work!!!! An actor’s actor……and he lived “on a sprawling horse farm in VA”…….No doubt his horses brought him much peace and comfort….I know mine do. Rest easy, Mr. Duvall and Happy Trails.
GREAT GREAT ACTOR. ONE of the BEST.
I love The Apostle.
Rest in Peace, Bob!
Well done, and so long!
Never watched a character of his I did not like.. Rest In Peace