The beloved actor Robert Duvall, who worked in movies for more than 70 years, passed away at his Middleburg, Virginia, home on Sunday, February 15 2026. He was 95. The news was verified by Luciana Duvall, Robert Duvall’s wife (née Pedraza), who described him as her “everything” and one of the “greatest actors of our time.”
Duvall achieved his legacy through his exceptional talent, which enabled him to fully portray various characters throughout his acting career. The actor became best known for his roles as Tom Hagen, the loyal consigliere in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, and as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983 for his role as a faded country singer in Tender Mercies, which marked his first Oscar win out of seven nominations throughout his career. Duvall won two Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards, establishing him as one of Hollywood’s top actors.
Duvall studied under legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner after his Army service, alongside future stars Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman. He began his acting career after playing Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), his first film role. The miniseries Lonesome Dove, in which Augustus McCrae was played by Duvall, became Duvall’s favourite role.
The film industry has paid tribute to Duvall through multiple channels, while his longtime collaborators Al Pacino and Francis Ford Coppola have acknowledged his dedication to his authentic performance style.
