Acclaimed Actor Robert Duvall Passes Away at 95, Had Maryland Roots

Hollywood legend Robert Duvall, who won an Oscar for "Tender Mercies" and delivered memorable performances in films like "Apocalypse Now" and "The Godfather," has died at age 95. The versatile actor, who grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, appeared in nearly 100 films during his distinguished career. His wife announced his passing on social media, praising his dedication to bringing truth to every character he portrayed.

Hollywood has lost one of its most respected performers with the death of Robert Duvall at age 95, his wife announced on social media.

The Academy Award-winning actor, who had deep ties to our region having been raised in Annapolis, Maryland, passed away after a career spanning nearly 100 films and countless memorable characters.

“For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented,” his wife Luciana Duvall wrote in her Facebook announcement.

Born to a Navy admiral father and amateur actress mother, Duvall’s journey to stardom began in Annapolis before taking him to Principia College in Illinois and military service. He eventually landed in New York City, where he shared living quarters with future star Dustin Hoffman and formed friendships with Gene Hackman during their days as aspiring performers.

Duvall’s breakthrough came with his haunting portrayal of the enigmatic Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a role that showcased his ability to make powerful impressions even without extensive screen time. This collaboration with screenwriter Horton Foote would prove pivotal, as Foote later crafted “Tender Mercies” specifically for Duvall, earning him the 1983 Academy Award for Best Actor as a down-and-out country music performer.

Among his most iconic performances was Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War masterpiece “Apocalypse Now.” Despite appearing for only minutes, Duvall dominated the screen as the surf-obsessed military officer who famously declared, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning,” adding that it smelled “like victory.”

His collaboration with Coppola extended to “The Godfather” series, where he portrayed Tom Hagen, the trusted advisor to the Corleone crime family. While he returned for the sequel, Duvall declined to participate in the third installment due to disagreements over compensation.

Throughout his career, Duvall demonstrated remarkable range, excelling in both commanding roles like Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meechum in “The Great Santini” and the Soviet dictator in “Stalin,” as well as more vulnerable characters in films like “The Apostle.”

Western roles became a particular specialty for the versatile performer. He captured an Emmy Award for the television production “Broken Trail,” shared the screen with John Wayne in “True Grit,” and earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the affable former lawman Gus McRae in the miniseries “Lonesome Dove,” which he often cited as his most satisfying performance.

“I think I nailed a very specific individual guy who represents something important in our history of the Western movement,” Duvall shared with the New York Times. “After that, I felt I could retire, that I’d done something.”

When Hollywood’s demands became tiresome, Duvall took creative control of his projects. He served as writer, director, and star of “The Apostle,” exploring the story of a troubled minister, which earned him another Oscar nomination. He repeated this triple role in “Assassination Tango,” a project that allowed him to showcase his love for Argentine tango dancing.

His passion for tango led him to Argentina, where he met his fourth wife, Luciana Pedraza. In a remarkable coincidence, both shared the same birthday of January 5, though separated by 41 years.

Duvall divided his later years between Los Angeles, Argentina, and a sprawling 360-acre Virginia farm, where he transformed a barn into a dedicated tango studio.

Over his distinguished career, Duvall received seven Academy Award nominations, including recognition for “The Great Santini,” “The Apostle,” “A Civil Action,” and “The Judge” in 2014, cementing his legacy as one of cinema’s most dependable and compelling performers.

Source: https://srnnews.com/robert-duvall-tender-mercies-oscar-winner-dies-at-95/