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Robert Duvall, star of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, passes away at 95

Actor Robert Duvall arrives for the Oscars Nominees' Luncheon hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, February 2, 2015. (AFP Photo)
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Actor Robert Duvall arrives for the Oscars Nominees' Luncheon hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, February 2, 2015. (AFP Photo)
February 17, 2026 10:10 AM GMT+03:00

Robert Duvall, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in American cinema classics such as Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, and To Kill a Mockingbird, has died at the age of 95. His wife, Luciana Duvall, confirmed his death on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in a statement posted on social media.

“Bob passed away at home, surrounded by love and peace,” she wrote. “To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, and a storyteller. To me, he was everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his love for characters, a good meal, and sharing moments with friends. He gave himself fully to every role, leaving a lasting and unforgettable legacy.”

US actor Robert Duvall attends the premiere of 'Widows' at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario, September 8, 2018. (AFP Photo)
US actor Robert Duvall attends the premiere of 'Widows' at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario, September 8, 2018. (AFP Photo)

A career of iconic roles

Duvall’s career spanned more than six decades, during which he appeared in nearly 100 films and television productions. He first gained attention as Boo Radley in the 1962 adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird before becoming internationally recognized as Tom Hagen, the calm and loyal consigliere in The Godfather series.

He is perhaps best remembered as Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now (1979), delivering some of cinema’s most quoted lines: “Charlie doesn’t surf!” and “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” In 1983, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Tender Mercies, portraying a struggling country singer. He was nominated for Oscars seven additional times, for films including The Great Santini, The Apostle, and The Judge.

Duvall also appeared in numerous films and TV projects, ranging from early roles in Bullitt (1968) and True Grit (1969) to mainstream dramas such as The Eagle Has Landed (1976), Network (1976), and The Natural (1984). On television, he gained recognition for his portrayal of the self-important Frank Burns in MASH (1972–1983).

February 17, 2026 10:10 AM GMT+03:00
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