Robert Duvall, the Academy Award– and Emmy-winning actor celebrated for his gruff naturalism and extraordinary range, has died peacefully at his home at 95.

His wife, Luciana Pedraza Duvall, confirmed his passing, honoring him as “one of the greatest actors of our time” and praising his lifelong devotion to his craft.

Across seven decades, Duvall built a body of work defined by emotional precision and an unflinching exploration of human duality, becoming one of the most respected figures in American cinema.

Born January 5, 1931, in San Diego to a Navy rear admiral, Duvall was raised in various cities, including Annapolis, Maryland.

After serving in the Korean War and graduating from Principia College, he studied under Sanford Meisner at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse, alongside peers such as Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.

He refined his skills on stage and television before making a striking film debut as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, signaling the arrival of a formidable screen presence.

The 1970s marked his ascent to prominence. His portrayal of Tom Hagen in The Godfather and its sequel earned widespread acclaim and an Oscar nomination, while roles in Apocalypse Now and The Great Santini further cemented his stature.

Whether embodying the swaggering Lt. Col. Kilgore or the domineering Bull Meechum, Duvall demonstrated an unmatched ability to balance menace, vulnerability, and authenticity.

A Career Defined by Range and Mastery

Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his restrained, deeply felt performance in Tender Mercies and earned additional acclaim for projects such as The Apostle, which he wrote, directed, and starred in.

On television, he garnered Emmy recognition for performances in Lonesome Dove and Broken Trail, among others.

Even into his later years, he continued delivering compelling work in films like The Judge, earning his seventh and final Oscar nomination, and appearing in projects such as The Pale Blue Eye.

Peers consistently described Duvall as a consummate professional and an actor of rare authority and subtlety. Tributes from collaborators including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Viola Davis, and others emphasized his influence and integrity.

Equally adept as a character actor and leading man, Duvall brought jeweler’s precision to roles spanning mob consigliere, Pentecostal preacher, soldier, and lawman.

He leaves behind a towering legacy in film and television, as well as his wife, Luciana Pedraza, with whom he shared both a personal and creative partnership.