Robert Duvall, one of the greatest actors of his generation, has died at the age of 95

16 February 2026

Duvall won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the 1983 film, Tender Mercies. (Reuters: Mark Blinch)

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor whose face, voice and presence became synonymous with some of the most iconic films in American cinema. Duvall died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia on February 15, 2026, his wife, Luciana Pedraza, announced. At 95, he had lived a long life rich in experience, dedication to craft and a remarkable ability to transform himself into characters that ranged from loyal gangsters to haunted war heroes and introspective travelers of the human condition.

From the moment he first appeared on screen as the enigmatic Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, a film that introduced him to audiences in 1962, Duvall demonstrated an extraordinary knack for versatility. Over the course of more than 90 film credits, he became one of the most respected figures in the industry. Whether anchoring a scene with quiet internal force or delivering explosive emotional energy, he brought authenticity and depth to roles that might have been mere caricatures in lesser hands.

Duvall’s career was intimately tied to the golden age of Hollywood storytelling, and few roles came to define him as powerfully as Tom Hagen, the calm and trusted consigliere to the Corleone crime family in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. His portrayal of Hagen was subtle, layered and magnetic, capturing the moral complexities of loyalty, family and power in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic saga. The performance helped cement his place in cinema history and remains one of his most enduring legacies.

In Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, Duvall delivered another unforgettable turn as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, a boisterous and fearless commander with an almost surreal enthusiasm for combat and surfing, forever etched in film lore for the line I love the smell of napalm in the morning. The role showcased Duvall’s ability to blend intensity with nuance, creating a character at once unsettling and fascinating.

Beyond these monumental roles, Duvall’s expansive filmography is a testament to his range. His performance as Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1984, portraying a washed-up country singer attempting to rebuild his life with profound sincerity and grace. Critics praised the portrayal as deeply human and emotionally resonant, highlighting Duvall’s capacity to embody the quiet struggles of flawed, ordinary people.

His work extended across genres and decades, from MASH* and Network to the Western epic Lonesome Dove, the latter earning him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe. He directed films such as The Apostle and Assassination Tango, illustrating his passion for storytelling both in front of and behind the camera. Duvall remained active into his later years, earning a supporting Oscar nomination for The Judge in 2014, a rare honor that highlighted his enduring relevance and skill well into his eighties.

Off-screen, Duvall’s personal life reflected the depth of his artistic curiosity. Born in 1931 in San Diego and raised in a military family in Maryland, he initially pursued acting after serving in the U.S. Army. His early years included struggle and perseverance, studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York alongside future stars while working odd jobs. That period of formation enriched his understanding of characters and contributed to his grounded, research-based approach to performance.

Colleagues and contemporaries responded to his passing with admiration and heartfelt tributes. Actors including Adam Sandler, Jamie Lee Curtis and Alec Baldwin celebrated Duvall as one of the greatest actors of his time, recalling not only his talent but his generous spirit and collegial presence on set. Sandler, who worked with him in Hustle, spoke of Duvall’s joy in collaboration and storytelling, while others highlighted his ability to elevate every project he touched.

Even as news of his death spread, fans and critics alike reflected on the profound emotional impact of his work. His characters often embodied stoic resilience, moral complexity and the quiet dignity of individuals facing life’s hardest truths. These performances made him a figure both beloved and respected, one whose work will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences for generations.

Duvall’s wife described him as her beloved husband, cherished friend and one of the greatest actors of our time, emphasizing his deep love for his craft and the comfort of his final days spent at home surrounded by love. The choice to pass peacefully in his Virginia home, where he shared decades of life with Luciana, underscores a life lived fully and with intention.

As tributes pour in and retrospectives of his work are shared across screens worldwide, Robert Duvall’s artistic legacy stands as a towering testament to the power of performance. His ability to render the human experience with such raw honesty and emotional truth has secured his place among the pantheon of Hollywood greats. Though he is gone, the characters he brought to life, the films he enriched and the stories he helped tell will endure for decades, if not lifetimes, to come.