Robert Duvall, the Academy Award and Emmy-winning actor known for his gruff naturalism, profound versatility, and exploration of human duality across seven decades, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 95. His death was announced by his wife, Luciana Duvall, who paid tribute to him as her beloved husband, cherished friend, and “one of the greatest actors of our time,” remembering his passion for his craft and deep love for characters.

Born on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, as the son of a Navy rear admiral, Duvall grew up in various parts of the country, notably Annapolis, Maryland. After serving in the Korean War and graduating from Principia College, he pursued acting at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse, studying under the legendary Sanford Meisner. It was there he forged friendships with future stars like Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and Robert Morse. His early career saw him honing his skills on stage, including a 1957 performance of Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge,” and making guest appearances on television shows such as “Naked City,” “The Defenders,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”

Duvall made an indelible big-screen debut in 1962 as the reclusive Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a role that immediately showcased his unique ability to portray complex characters. Despite this strong start, his career took some time to gain momentum, with the 1960s seeing him in character roles in films like “Captain Newman M.D.,” “The Chase,” “The Detective,” “True Grit,” and “Bullitt,” alongside being a staple in Westerns and urban crime dramas.

The early to mid-1970s marked a significant turning point as Duvall came into his own, seamlessly blending character acting with prominent roles. He began a significant collaboration with director Francis Ford Coppola on the intimate drama “The Rain People” in 1969. The following year, he landed the juicy role of Frank Burns in Robert Altman’s “MASH” and also starred in George Lucas’ experimental “THX 1138.”

His breakthrough into widespread recognition arrived with his first Oscar nomination for his role as the patient and sly consigliere Tom Hagen in Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece “The Godfather.” He reprised this iconic role in “The Godfather: Part II” in 1974. Throughout the decade, Duvall delivered memorable performances, including in Coppola’s “The Conversation,” as Dr. Watson in Herbert Ross’s “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution,” and as a ruthless television executive in Sidney Lumet’s “Network” (1976), where he displayed a new, blustery side.

In 1979, Duvall further cemented his legendary status with two extraordinary roles. As Colonel Kilgore in Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” he delivered the unforgettable line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning,” earning him his second Oscar nomination. The same year, he earned his first Best Actor Oscar nomination for his powerful portrayal of the blustery, militaristic father Bull Meechum in “The Great Santini,” a role that firmly established his credentials as a leading man. His ability to embody characters with precision, whether charming or brutal, reflected his deep identification with the Southern world.

Duvall’s career was marked by both critical acclaim and commercial success across film and television. He won his sole Best Actor Oscar in 1984 for his quiet, detailed performance as country singer Mac Sledge in “Tender Mercies.” On television, he starred as General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1979 TV movie “Ike” and later garnered an Emmy nomination for his acclaimed role as aging Texas Ranger Gus McCrae in the 1989 CBS miniseries “Lonesome Dove,” a character he often cited as his favorite to play. He also portrayed Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in a 1992 HBO film and earned two Emmys for “Broken Trail” in 2006, one for his performance and another as executive producer, helping to put AMC on the map for original content. Other Emmy nominations included for “The Man Who Captured Eichmann” (1997) and “Hemingway and Gelhorn” (2012).

Beyond acting, Duvall also explored directing and writing. He directed the rural documentary “We’re Not Jet Set” (1977) and the finely observed “Angelo, My Love” in the early 1980s. His 1997 film “The Apostle,” which he wrote, directed, and starred in as a womanizing Texas preacher on the run, earned him another Oscar nomination for Best Actor and was lauded as a masterpiece of independent cinema. He later wrote, directed, and starred in the 2003 film “Assassination Tango,” indulging his passion for tango dancing.

Throughout his prolific career, Duvall continued to take on diverse and challenging roles in films such as “The Natural,” “Colors,” “Days of Thunder,” “Rambling Rose,” “Geronimo: An American Legend,” “Deep Impact,” “A Civil Action” (Oscar nom), “Open Range” (2003), “Gods and Generals” (as Gen. Robert E. Lee), “Secondhand Lions,” “Get Low,” and “The Judge” (2014), which brought him his seventh and final Oscar nomination. He did not slow down, even nearing his 80s and 90s, appearing in “The Road” (2009), “Crazy Heart” (2009), “A Night in Old Mexico” (2014), and directing “Wild Horses” (2015). His final screen roles included “Hustle” (2022) and “The Pale Blue Eye” (2022).

Duvall was remembered by peers and collaborators as a consummate professional and a “marvelous actor” who demanded the best from himself and others. Director Walter Hill, who worked with him on “Broken Trail” and “Geronimo,” noted Duvall’s authority and reality, and his dedication to having his character approach worked out well in advance. His distinctive style and “chameleonic quality” allowed him to portray an incredible array of characters, from Mob consigliere to Pentecostal preacher, often exploring the duality of human nature – quietude and fury, tenderness and violence – with jeweler's precision.

Tributes poured in from across Hollywood, affirming his immense impact. Al Pacino praised him as “a born actor” with a “phenomenal gift.” Robert De Niro simply said, “God bless Bobby.” Viola Davis, who worked with him in “Widows,” called him a “giant… an icon,” admiring his “towering portrayals of men who were both quiet and dominating.” Adam Sandler, his co-star in “Hustle,” remembered him as “one of the greatest actors we ever had.” Michael Keaton recalled shared conversations about horses and called him “greatness personified.” Walton Goggins, who worked on “The Apostle,” described him as his “friend. My mentor. My North Star, my hero.” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted his unique ability to be a character actor who could steal scenes and a leading man who could carry films. Author Stephen King shared his iconic “napalm” line, while Scott Cooper, who directed Duvall in “Crazy Heart” and his final film, considered him his “most important artistic mentor,” appreciating his honesty, rigor, and love for the work.

Robert Duvall leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances that enriched cinema and television, defining an acting style for a generation and continuing to inspire. He is survived by his fourth wife, Luciana Pedraza, with whom he shared a love for tango and collaborated on “Assassination Tango.”