Robert Duvall, Titan of American Cinema, Dead at 95

Robert Duvall, a titan in American cinema who anchored some of the greatest films of the 20th century, has died at the age of 95.

From his portrayal of Tom Hagen, the consigliere of the Corleone family, in The Godfather, to his Oscar-winning performance as a broken country singer in Tender Mercies, Duvall was widely considered among the greatest and most versatile actors in film history.

Among his many other notable roles were as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mocking Bird; as Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Kilgore in Apocalypse Now; as former Texas ranger Augustus “Gus” McCrae in the western miniseries Lonesome Dove; and as a Pentecostal preacher in The Apostle.

In all, Duvall’s career spanned a total of seven decades, leading to an Academy Award, a BAFTA, four Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Duvall’s wife, Luciana, announced his passing in a statement shared to social media on Monday, February 16th. “Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort,” she wrote.

“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller,” Luciana added. “To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all. Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind.”