Robert Duvall

With a career spanning more than seven decades, Robert Duvall has become one of the most respected and versatile actors in American film history. Known for his quiet intensity, emotional depth, and ability to disappear into any role, Duvall has left an indelible mark on stage, screen, and television.

Born January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, Robert Selden Duvall grew up in a Navy family and spent much of his youth in Annapolis, Maryland. Though his father hoped he’d follow in his military footsteps, Duvall had other plans. After earning a drama degree from Principia College, he served briefly in the U.S. Army before pursuing acting full-time.

Duvall trained under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, where he formed lifelong friendships with fellow actors Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman. He honed his craft on stage, earning acclaim in productions like A View from the Bridge and Wait Until Dark, and winning an Obie Award in 1965.

His film debut came in 1962 as the reclusive Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, a role that hinted at the nuanced performances to come. Duvall’s breakout arrived in the 1970s with unforgettable roles in MASH*, The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Great Santini. He earned multiple Academy Award nominations and won Best Actor for his performance in Tender Mercies (1983), where he also showcased his singing talent.

Duvall’s love for the Western genre is evident in films like Lonesome Dove, Open Range, Geronimo: An American Legend, and Broken Trail, the latter earning him his first Emmy Award. His portrayal of Gus McCrae in Lonesome Dove remains one of his most beloved roles—a performance he once described as his “Hamlet.”

Even into his 90s, Duvall has continued to work, appearing in films like The Judge, Get Low, and Widows. Off-screen, he shares a passion for Argentine tango and philanthropy with his wife, Luciana Pedraza. Together, they founded the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund to support underserved communities in Argentina.