50 Facts About Robert Duvall

Early Life and Education

Robert Duvall's journey began in San Diego, California, where he was born on January 5, 1931. His early years were shaped by his family and education.

1. Early Life and Education: Duvall was born to Mildred Virginia Hart and William Howard Duvall. He studied at Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland, and The Principia in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, in 1953.

Career Beginnings

Duvall's acting career kicked off in the early 1950s, and he quickly made a name for himself with some memorable roles.

2. Career Beginnings: Duvall's acting career began in 1952. His first role was as Arthur "Boo" Radley in the 1962 movie "To Kill a Mockingbird."

3. Early Roles: Duvall's early roles include "Captain Newman, M.D." (1963) and "Bullitt" (1968). He also appeared in "True Grit" (1969), which was one of his early notable performances.

Breakthrough Roles

The 1970s were a pivotal decade for Duvall, marking his rise to fame with several iconic roles.

4. Breakthrough Roles: Duvall's breakthrough roles came in the early 1970s. He played Major Frank Burns in "MAS*H" (1970) and the lead role in "THX 1138" (1971). These roles showcased his versatility and talent.

5. The Godfather: Duvall's portrayal of Tom Hagen in "The Godfather" (1972) and "The Godfather Part II" (1974) earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Awards and Nominations

Duvall's talent has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations throughout his career.

6. Awards and Nominations: Throughout his career, Duvall has received numerous awards and nominations. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Tender Mercies" (1983).

7. Golden Globe Awards: Duvall has won four Golden Globe Awards for his performances in films like "Tender Mercies," "The Apostle," and "The Judge."

8. BAFTA Award: He received a BAFTA Award for his role in "The Godfather Part II."

9. Primetime Emmy Awards: Duvall has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work in television, including a win for his role in the AMC limited series "The Man Who Captured Eichmann."

10. Screen Actors Guild Award: He has also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his outstanding performance in a film.

Personal Life and Views

Beyond his acting career, Duvall's personal life and views have also been of interest to many.

11. Marriages and Relationships: Duvall has been married five times: to Barbara Benjamin (1964-1975), Gail Youngs (1982-1986), Sharon Brophy (1991-1996), and Luciana Pedraza (2005-present). He has no children.

12. Personal Views: Duvall's political views are often described as libertarian or conservative.

Directorial Work and Production

Duvall has also made significant contributions behind the camera as a director and producer.

13. Directorial Work: In addition to acting, Duvall has also directed several films, including "Assassination Tango" (2002), a thriller about one of his favorite hobbies, tango.

14. Production Company: In 1992, Duvall founded the production company Butcher's Run Films, which has produced several of his films and television projects.

Television Roles and Achievements

Duvall's work in television has earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards.

15. Television Roles: Duvall has periodically worked in television, earning an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin in the 1992 television film "Stalin."

16. Emmy Wins: He won an Emmy Award for his role as Prentice "Print" Ritter in the revisionist Western miniseries "Broken Trail" in 2006.

Honors and Recognition

Duvall's contributions to the arts have been recognized with several prestigious honors.

17. National Medal of Arts: In 2005, Duvall was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush at the White House.

18. Oldest Actor Nominated: In 2015, at age 84, Duvall became the oldest actor ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Judge," a record that has since been surpassed by Christopher Plummer.

Notable Filmography

Duvall's extensive filmography includes some of the most iconic films in cinema history.

19. Filmography: Duvall has appeared in numerous films, including "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," "Network," "True Confessions," "Colors," "Lonesome Dove," "Days of Thunder," "Rambling Rose," "Falling Down," "The Apostle," "Deep Impact," "The Judge," and "Widows."

20. Favorite Roles: One of Duvall's personal favorite roles is that of a fugitive in "THX 1138" (1971), which he developed at the Actors Studio.

Critical Success and Legacy

Duvall's impact on the film industry is profound, inspiring generations of actors and filmmakers.

21. Critical Success: By the mid-1970s, Duvall was a top character actor, known for his critically acclaimed performances in films like "The Godfather Part II" and "The Conversation."

22. Supporting Roles: Duvall has played numerous supporting roles throughout his career, including Dr. Watson in "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" (1976) and a corporate director in "The Conversation" (1974).

23. Awards and Recognition: Duvall has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

24. Legacy: Duvall's legacy in the film industry is profound. He has inspired generations of actors and continues to be celebrated for his contributions to cinema.

25. Impact on Film Industry: His influence on the film industry can be seen in the many actors who have followed in his footsteps, including notable actors like Al Pacino and Robert Downey Jr., with whom he has collaborated on several projects.

Collaborations and Influence

Duvall has worked with some of the most renowned directors and actors in the industry, leaving a lasting impact.

26. Collaborations: Duvall has collaborated with some of the most renowned directors in the industry, including Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg.

27. Impact on Television: Duvall's work in television has also been significant, earning him multiple Emmy nominations and wins for his performances in various television films and miniseries.

Philanthropy and Personal Interests

Duvall's life extends beyond acting, with interests in philanthropy and personal hobbies.

28. Philanthropy: While not extensively documented, Duvall's philanthropic efforts are notable. He has supported various charitable causes, including those related to the arts and education.

29. Residence: Duvall currently resides in The Plains, Virginia, where he maintains a quiet life away from the spotlight.

30. Favorite Hobbies: Duvall is known to enjoy tango dancing, which inspired his film "Assassination Tango" (2002).

Continued Contributions

Despite his advanced age, Duvall continues to contribute to the film industry, appearing in films and maintaining a busy schedule.

31. Career Span: With a career spanning over eight decades, Duvall is one of the longest-active actors in Hollywood history.

32. Notable Films: Some of his most notable films include "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," "Network," "True Confessions," "Colors," "Lonesome Dove," "Days of Thunder," "Rambling Rose," "Falling Down," "The Apostle," "Deep Impact," "The Judge," and "Widows."

33. Directorial Ventures: In addition to acting, Duvall has ventured into directing with films like "Assassination Tango" (2002) and "Gods and Generals" (2003).

34. Acting Style: Duvall is known for his distinctive acting style, which often involves deep characterization and nuanced performances.

35. Influence on Actors: Many actors have cited Duvall as an inspiration, including notable actors like Daniel Day-Lewis and Gary Oldman.

36. Awards and Honors: Duvall has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the film industry, including the National Medal of Arts in 2005.

Television Appearances and Broadway

Duvall's career also includes notable television appearances and a successful stint on Broadway.

37. Television Appearances: Duvall has made numerous television appearances, including roles in "The Twilight Zone" (1963), "The Outer Limits" (1964), and "The F.B.I." (1966).

38. Broadway Debut: Duvall made his Broadway debut in the play "Wait Until Dark" in 1966. He returned to the stage in David Mamet's play "American Buffalo" in 1977, earning a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play nomination.

39. Early Television Roles: Duvall's early television roles include appearances on "Playhouse 90" and "Armstrong Circle Theater" TV series in the early 1960s.

Impact on Film Industry

Duvall's influence on the film industry extends beyond his acting career, impacting filmmaking techniques and storytelling methods.

40. Impact on Film Industry: Duvall's impact on the film industry extends beyond his acting career. He has influenced filmmaking techniques and storytelling methods through his work as an actor and director.

41. Collaborations with Directors: Duvall has collaborated with some of the most renowned directors in the industry, including Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg.

Notable Television Roles

Duvall's television roles have earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards.

42. Notable Television Roles: Some of his notable television roles include his portrayal of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin in the 1992 television film "Stalin" and Adolf Eichmann in "The Man Who Captured Eichmann" (1997).

43. Emmy Wins and Nominations: Duvall has won multiple Emmy Awards for his performances in television films and miniseries, including a win for his role in "Broken Trail" (2006).

Philanthropic Efforts

Duvall's philanthropic efforts, though not extensively documented, are notable and impactful.

44. Philanthropic Efforts: While not extensively documented, Duvall's philanthropic efforts are notable. He has supported various charitable causes related to the arts and education.

Residence and Personal Life

Duvall's personal life is marked by his quiet residence in Virginia and his multiple marriages.

45. Residence and Personal Life: Duvall currently resides in The Plains, Virginia, where he maintains a quiet life away from the spotlight. He has no children and has been married five times.

Favorite Films and Critical Acclaim

Duvall's favorite films and critically acclaimed performances highlight his illustrious career.

46. Favorite Films: One of Duvall's personal favorite films is "Tomorrow" (1972), which he developed at the Actors Studio.

47. Critical Acclaim: By the mid-1970s, Duvall was a top character actor, known for his critically acclaimed performances in films like "The Godfather Part II" and "The Conversation."

Supporting Roles and Legacy

Duvall's supporting roles and legacy in the film industry are significant and enduring.

48. Supporting Roles: Duvall has played numerous supporting roles throughout his career, including Dr. Watson in "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" (1976) and a corporate director in "The Conversation" (1974).

49. Legacy in Film Industry: Duvall's legacy in the film industry is profound. He has inspired generations of actors and continues to be celebrated for his contributions to cinema.

Continued Contributions

Despite his advanced age, Duvall continues to contribute to the film industry, appearing in films and maintaining a busy schedule.

50. Continued Contributions: Despite his advanced age, Duvall continues to contribute to the film industry, appearing in films like "The Judge" (2014) and "Widows" (2018), and maintaining a busy schedule of acting and directing projects.

Robert Duvall: A Living Legend

Robert Duvall's career is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird" to his iconic role as Tom Hagen in "The Godfather," he's shown remarkable versatility. Winning an Academy Award for "Tender Mercies" and multiple Golden Globes, Duvall's accolades speak volumes. His work in television, like his Emmy-winning role in "Broken Trail," further showcases his talent. Beyond acting, he's also directed films, proving his skills behind the camera. Living a quiet life in Virginia, Duvall remains a significant figure in Hollywood. His influence on actors and filmmakers is undeniable. With a career spanning over eight decades, he's inspired countless individuals in the industry. Robert Duvall's legacy is profound, and his contributions to cinema will be remembered for generations.