Robert Duvall death updates: Walton Goggins and Adam Sandler pay tribute to legendary Apocalypse Now actor
Viola Davis, Michael Imperioli and Stephen King were some of those paying tribute to the Oscar-winning actor
Hollywood is paying tribute to legendary actor Robert Duvall after his death at 95.
Duvall’s wife, Luciana, announced the Apocalypse Now and The Godfather star 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 Monday. “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.”
The loss prompted an outpouring of messages from fans and colleagues alike as they remembered the actor, who was known for his role as the Air Cavalry Commander Kilgore in 1979 movie Apocalypse Now.
Actor Walton Goggins, who worked on Duvall’s 1997 movie The Apostle, remembered the actor and director as his “mentor” in an Instagram post, writing in part: “The privilege of getting to work with this man, to know this man is still the most important experience of my life.”
Adam Sandler, who co-starred with Duvall in the 2022 Netflix sports movie Hustle, wrote on X about Duvall: “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. 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.”
Follow along for tributes from across the film industry...
Robert Duvall's machismo held hidden depths
Robert Duvall was a master at portraying men whose stern authority masked layers of doubt and vulnerability, wrote The Independent’s Kevin E G Perry.
Robert Duvall: The Hollywood great whose machismo held hidden depths
Walton Goggins remembers 'greatest storyteller of all time'
The White Lotus actor Walton Goggins has shared a long tribute to Robert Duvall on Instagram. The pair worked together on 1997 film The Apostle.
“The celestial light just lost its glow..It certainly did for me,” Goggins wrote. “Bobby Duvall, the greatest storyteller of all time just left us. He was my friend. My mentor. I’ve had these photos with me for 30 years. They were taken by the still photographer on the set of THE APOSTLE, the movie he wrote and directed.”
Goggins continued: “I was 24. The privilege of getting to work with this man, to know this man is still the most important experience of my life. He was my North Star, my hero. He knew it. He gave me permission, afforded me the privilege of never having to leave his side while we were working… we maintained a deep friendship for years after. He didn’t have to do that. But he did. He had that effect on a lot of people… but this was my story. I love you Bobby. Thank you for changing my life. Sammy.”
Viola Davis says she was 'in awe' of Robert Duvall
Actor Viola Davis wrote on Instagram: “I had the honor of working alongside you in Widows. I was in awe.
“I’ve always been in awe of your towering portrayals of men who were both quiet and dominating in their humanness,” she wrote, adding that he was a “giant” and “an icon.”
“Greatness never dies. It stays… as a gift. Rest well, sir. Your name will be spoken… May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest,” Davis wrote.
Cary Elwes mourns former co-star
Actor Cary Elwes, who played Robert Duvall’s rival in 1990 Nascar movie Days of Thunder, shared a tribute to him on Instagram, writing: “The magnificent Robert Duvall has left us. But he has left us a monumental body of work that is incomparable.”
He wrote, “I grew up idolizing him and all the characters he created, which were classes in authenticity. When I got to work with him on Days of Thunder in 1990 he turned out to be as fabulous a human being as I could have hoped.
“I have wonderful memories of numerous barbecues he threw for the cast & crew at the ranch he was staying at. And the wonderful, touching moment when he asked me to film him and his wife Luciana dancing the tango.”
He concluded, “My heart goes out to Luciana and his extended family, friends and fans of which I will always be one. Farewell, Bob. Rest in absolute power…”
Michael Imperioli mourns 'actor's actor'
The Sopranos actor Michael Imperioli remembered Robert Duvall as an “actor’s actor.”
“One of the best ever. Period. An actor’s actor. Brilliant. Genius. Mesmerized in every role,” Imperioli said. “One of the greatest bodies of work in cinema history.”
Nancy Sinatra: 'So long, Boo'
Nancy Sinatra shared a message remembering Robert Duvall for his role as Boo Radley in 1962 movie To Kill a Mockingbird.
“Oh, I'm sorry to lose this wonderful man,” she wrote on X.
“Soar with the angels. So long, Boo.”
Lou Diamond Phillips pays tribute
Actor Lou Diamond Phillips wrote about Robert Duvall on X, “What an epic, iconic run. I hope he knew what an impact he had on generations of actors.”
Phillips continued: “I was shooting the Holly tune in La Bamba when Taylor Hackford walked in with him & I realized I’d be acting in front of him.
“He was incredibly kind to me, as he was a few times after that,” he said.
Katie Couric remembers Robert Duvall as a 'fine actor'
Journalist Katie Couric shared on Instagram, “Robert Duvall has died. What a fine actor. So many fantastic roles.
“Tender Mercies was my favorite—he won an Oscar for that role. He lived in the same apartment as I did when I first moved to New York.
“Rest in Peace and thank you for your beautiful films.”
Former co-star is 'gutted'
Actor 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.”
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