Robert Duvall Oscar winning star of The Godfather dies at 95

Legendary actor known for Tender Mercies and Apocalypse Now passed away, wife confirmed

Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor known for his performances in The Godfather, Tender Mercies and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95.

Duvall’s death was confirmed in a Facebook statement shared by his wife, Luciana Duvall. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he became widely regarded as one of the defining actors of his generation, earning seven Academy Award nominations and winning best actor for Tender Mercies.

Duvall first gained major attention for his portrayal of Boo Radley in 1962’s To Kill a Mockingbird. His breakthrough came a decade later when he played Tom Hagen, the composed consigliere to the Corleone family, in The Godfather, a role that brought him his first Oscar nomination. He reprised the character in The Godfather: Part II.

In 1979, Duvall delivered one of his most memorable performances as Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, earning another Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the surf-obsessed military officer. He continued to build acclaim with roles in films such as Network and The Great Santini, the latter securing him his first best actor nomination.

His Oscar-winning turn came in 1983’s Tender Mercies, in which he played a troubled country singer seeking redemption. Later notable credits included The Natural, Days of Thunder, Deep Impact and The Judge, the latter earning him his seventh Academy Award nomination.

Beyond acting, Duvall also directed and starred in The Apostle (1997), which received Independent Spirit Award recognition and another Oscar nomination for his performance. On television, he garnered five Emmy nominations and won twice, including for the miniseries Broken Trail. He also received acclaim for his work in Lonesome Dove and portrayed Joseph Stalin in the HBO film Stalin.

Born in San Diego to a Navy rear admiral, Duvall studied drama in New York under Sanford Meisner after completing his education and military service. Early in his career, he appeared in stage productions and television series before establishing himself as a prominent figure in American cinema during the 1970s.

In later years, he continued acting in projects such as Open Range, Secondhand Lions and The Pale Blue Eye. Variety noted that Duvall’s understated, naturalistic style set him apart, earning respect from peers and critics alike.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Luciana Pedraza, with whom he collaborated on the 2002 film Assassination Tango.