Tributes to legendary actor Robert Duvall are flooding the internet after his death at 95.
Duvall’s wife, Luciana, announced the Apocalypse Now and The Godfather star had died at his Virginia ranch Sunday in a statement on Facebook, which remembered him as “simply everything.”
“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort,” Luciana wrote.
“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.”
Duvall was perhaps best known for his role as the Air Cavalry Commander Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, released in 1979. The film was responsible for two particularly iconic lines of dialogue in cinema history: “Charlie don’t surf!” and “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”.
He had a huge impact on the film industry as consigliere Tom Hagen in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, while his portrayal of the reclusive and complicated Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird kick-started his career. He was nominated seven times for an Oscar, winning once for Best Actor in 1984’sTender Mercies, in which he portrayed a country singer dealing with alcoholism.
Follow along for tributes from across the film industry...
KEY POINTS
- Robert Duvall dead at 95
- Adam Sandler pays tribute
Former co-star is 'gutted'
20:11 , Carsen HoladayActor Robert Patrick has shared a statement remembering Robert Duvall, who played his father in 2012 film Jayne Mansfield’s Car.
“I am gutted. Robert Duvall I will miss you brother,” Patrick wrote on X. “I took this photo of Bobby on his back porch after a lovely meal prepared by his wife Luciana at their ranch in Virginia.”
He recalled, “That whole day is engraved in my memory. Luciana cooked the beef Argentina style and we sat for hours talking. We talked about the film we made with Billy Bob Thornton, Jayne Mansfield’s Car. Bobby called Billy Bob ‘the redneck Orson Welles’ and he meant it lovingly.”
Patrick continued: “We talked horses, dogs, Clemson football, dancing the tango and Marlon Brando. At one point he told me to go find the letter Marlon had sent him after they worked together on The Godfather. It was typed and perfectly composed. Bobby was more proud of that letter than his Oscar. Marlon was the actor he looked up to.
“I had ridden across country to attend Rolling Thunder with New York Myke and I so enjoyed being with Bobby. He was the actor I looked up to. His ability to find the truth of a scene was something special,” Patrick continued.
“Over the years I would call Bobby and we’d talk movies and barbecue. He loved barbecue and I’d always let him know when I was having it in Lockhart, Texas. Smitty’s or Kreuz or Blacks… which one was best. I will miss Bobby. I will always be proud that I got to play his son. Rest in peace brother.”
Stephen King pays tribute
20:06 , Carsen HoladayAuthor Stephen King paid tribute to Robert Duvall by sharing one of the actor’s iconic lines from Apocalypse Now on X.
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning!"
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 16, 2026
RIP Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall came up alongside other Hollywood giants
19:42 , Carsen HoladayBefore Robert Duvall made it big in Hollywood, he worked odd jobs and auditioned for roles as he came up in New York City alongside his two friends, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Hoffman and Duvall lived together in Manhattan as they joined a group of struggling actors that became friends, including Hackman, who occasionally roomed with the two of them.
Duvall told Vanity Fair in 2013 about the time: “Those were good years, not knowing what the future was about. All these friends. Very important. Dreaming. That was fun.”
The trio of friends each went on to become acclaimed character actors, with all three men winning at least one Academy Award.
Adam Sandler pays tribute to Robert Duvall
19:44 , Carsen HoladayAdam Sandler wrote on X about Robert Duvall: “Funny as hell. Strong as hell.
“One of the greatest actors we ever had. Such a great man to talk to and laugh with. Loved him so much. We all did.”
He continued, “So many movies to choose from that were legendary. Watch them when you can. Sending his wife Luciana and all his family and friends our condolences.”
Duvall and Sandler co-starred in the 2022 Netflix sports movie Hustle.
TCM pays tribute
19:17 , Carsen HoladayTurner Classic Movies has paid tribute to Robert Duvall in a statement.
“We say goodbye to Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Robert Duvall,” the network said in an Instagram post.
“With a career spanning over seven decades, Duvall's storytelling transcended mediums and generations of audiences – as he delivered a range of unforgettable performances from his work on TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD to APOCALYPSE NOW, and so much more.
“Our thoughts are with his loved ones,” TCM concluded.
Survived by his wife
19:08 , Carsen HoladayRobert Duvall is survived by his wife, Luciana Pedraza.
Duvall was married four times in his life, but never had any children.
He had been with Pedraza since they met in Argentina in 1997.
Jamie Lee Curtis remembers Robert Duvall
18:58 , Carsen HoladayActor Jamie Lee Curtis shared on Threads that Robert Duvall was “The greatest consigliere the screen has ever seen.”
She added, “Bravo, Robert Duvall.”
Robert Duvall shared childhood memories weeks before death
18:49 , Carsen HoladayRobert Duvall celebrated his milestone 95th birthday in January by sharing childhood memories with his wife, Luciana.
'True Godfather of Hollywood'
18:47 , Carsen HoladayDirector Joe Russo paid tribute to Robert Duvall with a post on X after news of his death Monday.
“We lost a titan,” Russo wrote. “A true consigliere. An actor who made every scene better just by his presence, Robert Duvall.
“RIP to a true Godfather of Hollywood,” he concluded.
Robert Duvall's iconic performances
18:35 , Carsen HoladayBorn in San Diego, California, Robert Duvall earned his first of several Oscar nominations in 1973 for his supporting role inThe Godfather.
In 1984, he won the Best Actor award for his performance in the Western drama Tender Mercies.
He was also known for his performances in Apocalypse Now, Secondhand Lions and HBO series Lonesome Dove.
Robert Duvall dies at 95
18:28 , Carsen HoladayLegendary actor Robert Duvall has died at 95, his wife Luciana announced Monday.
“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort,” Luciana wrote on Facebook.
“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court,” she continued.
“For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all. Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind.”
