Veteran American actor Robert Duvall, celebrated for his performances in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95.
His wife, Luciana Duvall, confirmed the news in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, revealing that he passed away peacefully at home on Sunday.
“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. 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.”
Duvall’s career stretched across more than six decades, during which he built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, as well as a director and producer.
A graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, he trained alongside fellow actors Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.
He first made his mark on stage and television in the late 1950s before gaining widespread attention as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. International acclaim followed for his portrayal of Tom Hagen in The Godfather and its sequel. He later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies.
Other standout performances came in Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini and the television miniseries Lonesome Dove, cementing his legacy as one of the defining actors of his generation.
