Robert Duvall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Duvall
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Duvall in 1984
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| Born |
Robert Selden Duvall
January 5, 1931 San Diego, California, U.S.
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| Died | February 15, 2026 (aged 95) Middleburg, Virginia, U.S.
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| Education | Principia College (BA) Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1952–2022 |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Barbara Brent
(m. 1964; div. 1975)Gail Youngs
(m. 1982; div. 1986)Sharon Brophy
(m. 1991; div. 1995)Luciana Pedraza
(m. 2005) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
.svg){kind=small} United States Army |
| Years of service | 1953–1954 |
| Rank |  Private first class |
| Awards |  National Defense Service Medal |
| Awards | Full list |
Robert Selden Duvall (January 5, 1931 – February 15, 2026) was a famous American actor, filmmaker, and producer. He had a very long career, lasting over seventy years! During this time, he won many important awards. These included an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. Robert Duvall was known for his amazing acting skills. He was one of the last big stars from the early days of Hollywood.
Contents
Robert Duvall's Early Life and Education
Robert Selden Duvall was born on January 5, 1931. His birthplace was San Diego, California. His mother, Mildred Virginia Duvall, enjoyed acting. His father, William Howard Duvall, was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. Robert was one of three sons.
He grew up in places like Annapolis, Maryland. His father was stationed there at the United States Naval Academy. Robert went to Principia College and earned a degree in drama in 1953. His father hoped he would join the Navy. However, Robert found his passion in acting.
After college, he served in the United States Army for about a year. This was from 1953 to 1954. He left the Army as a private first class. During his service, he even acted in a play in Augusta, Georgia.
In 1955, Robert Duvall moved to New York City. He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. He learned from a famous teacher named Sanford Meisner. Future stars like Gene Hackman and James Caan were his classmates. He also became close friends with actors Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman. They often shared apartments and worked odd jobs while trying to become actors.
Early Acting Roles: Stage and Screen
Robert Duvall started his acting career in theater. He performed at the Gateway Playhouse in New York in 1952. His first play was Laughter in the Stars. He also acted in many other plays. One important role was Eddie Carbone in A View from the Bridge. This play helped him get noticed.
He made his Broadway debut in 1966. He played Harry Roat, Jr. in the play Wait Until Dark. Later, he also starred in American Buffalo on Broadway.
Robert Duvall's First TV and Film Appearances
In 1959, Robert Duvall first appeared on television. He was a guest actor in many TV shows during the 1960s. These included popular shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone.
His very first movie role was special. He played Boo Radley in the famous film To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). A writer named Horton Foote recommended him for the part. Robert Duvall and Horton Foote worked together many times.
Throughout the 1960s, Duvall appeared in several other films. He often played important supporting characters. Some of these movies included Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) and Bullitt (1968). He also played "Lucky" Ned Pepper in the Western film True Grit (1969).
Becoming a Star: 1970s and 1980s Films
The 1970s were a big time for Robert Duvall. He gained a lot of attention for his role as Major Frank Burns in the movie M*A*S*H (1970). He also starred in THX 1138 (1971).
One of his most famous roles was Tom Hagen in The Godfather (1972). He also appeared in The Godfather Part II (1974). For The Godfather, he received an Academy Award nomination. By the mid-1970s, he was a very sought-after actor.
In 1979, he earned another Oscar nomination for Apocalypse Now. He also won a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award for this role. His line, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," became very famous. He also played President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a TV miniseries called Ike (1979).
Robert Duvall's Oscar-Winning Performance
Robert Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983. This was for his role as Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies. Mac Sledge was a country music star facing personal challenges. Duvall sang all the songs himself in the movie. He believed it was important to use his own voice.
He also starred in the miniseries Lonesome Dove in 1989. He played Captain Augustus "Gus" McCrae. This role was one of his personal favorites. He won a Golden Globe Award for it. He even learned to use old revolvers for the part.
Later Career and Final Roles
Robert Duvall continued to work a lot in the 1990s and 2000s. He even directed and wrote some films. He received more Academy Award nominations. These included his roles in The Apostle (1997) and A Civil Action (1998).
He played many different kinds of characters. He was a crew chief in Days of Thunder (1990). He played newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies (1992). He was also a challenging father figure in Sling Blade (1996).
In 2005, President George W. Bush gave him the National Medal of Arts. This award recognized his great contributions to art. In 2014, he starred with Robert Downey Jr. in The Judge. His performance earned him another Academy Award nomination. At 84, he was the oldest actor nominated for Best Supporting Actor at that time.
His final roles included films like Widows (2018) and Hustle (2022). He also appeared in The Pale Blue Eye (2022). Robert Duvall had a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Robert Duvall's Personal Life
Robert Duvall was married four times during his life. He did not have any children.
His first wife was Barbara Benjamin. They were married from 1964 to 1975. His second wife was Gail Youngs, from 1982 to 1986. His third marriage was to Sharon Brophy, from 1991 to 1995.
In 2005, Robert Duvall married his fourth wife, Luciana Pedraza. She is from Argentina. They met in Argentina and had been together since 1997. They even worked together on the film Assassination Tango (2002). Robert Duvall was known for his skill in Argentine tango dancing. He also trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Robert Duvall's Community Involvement
Robert Duvall was interested in politics. He often supported the Republican Party. He attended President George W. Bush's inauguration in 2001. He also supported other Republican candidates over the years.
He and his wife, Luciana Pedraza, started the Robert Duvall Children's Fund in 2001. This fund helped families in Northern Argentina. They worked to improve homes, schools, and medical facilities. They also supported Pro Mujer, an organization that helps women in Latin America.
In 2009, Robert Duvall spoke out to protect historic land. He opposed a plan to build a store near the Wilderness Battlefield national park in Virginia. He also supported charity events, like one for the Texas Children's Cancer Center in 2011. In 2023, he spoke against a large facility project in Virginia.
Robert Duvall's Passing
Robert Duvall passed away at his farm in Middleburg, Virginia, on February 15, 2026. He was 95 years old. His wife, Luciana Pedraza, shared the news. She stated that he died peacefully at home.
Robert Duvall's Awards and Recognitions
Robert Duvall received many awards for his acting. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Tender Mercies (1983). He also earned a British Academy Film Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized his talent with several nominations:
- 45th Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, The Godfather (1972)
- 52nd Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Apocalypse Now (1979)
- 53rd Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Actor, The Great Santini (1981)
- 56th Academy Awards: Won Best Actor, Tender Mercies (1983)
- 70th Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Actor, The Apostle (1997)
- 71st Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, A Civil Action (1998)
- 87th Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, The Judge (2014)
Images for kids
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Joe Bowman with Robert Duvall on the set of Lonesome Dove
See also
In Spanish: Robert Duvall para niños
