Robert Duvall, the titan of American cinema who portrayed the Corleone family's lawyer in "The Godfather" and a surf-obsessed commander in "Apocalypse Now," died Feb. 15, 2026. He was 95.
Born in San Diego, Duvall served in the U.S. Army for two years before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. His film debut came as the silent, mysterious Boo Radley in the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird. This performance launched a career that spanned seven decades and included early roles in "MAS*H" and "True Grit."
He earned his greatest acclaim during the New Hollywood era for his work with director Francis Ford Coppola. Duvall played Tom Hagen in the first two "Godfather" films and later portrayed Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now." In 1984, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a struggling country singer in "Tender Mercies." He remained a prolific actor well into his nineties, maintaining a steady presence in American cinema.
Throughout his later years, Duvall continued to take on complex roles in both independent films and major studio productions. The Guardian noted his reputation for intense preparation and naturalism. His career included seven total Oscar nominations, with a later nod coming for the 2014 film "The Judge." He continued his involvement with the film community until the end of his life.