NewsBeat
Robert Duvall death updates: Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro lead tributes to legendary The Godfather star
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 also 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…
Al Pacino calls Duvall a ‘born actor’
Al Pacino, who starred with Duvall in The Godfather and The Godfather Part 2, said in a statement to Associated Press:
“It was an honor to have worked with Robert Duvall. He was a born actor as they say, his connection with it, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will always be remembered. I will miss him.”
Kevin Perry16 February 2026 22:55
Lynda Carter remembers Robert Duvall
Actor and singer Lynda Carter wrote about Robert Duvall on X, “Robert Duvall was a kind and gentle man.”
She added: “He had that crinkle in his smile that made you think he had some precious secret, all his own. Rest well, Robert.”
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 21:58
Mario Lopez pays tribute
Actor and radio host Mario Lopez paid tribute to Robert Duvall by remembering their work together on the 1988 film Colors.
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 21:45
Robert Duvall won the Oscar for ‘Tender Mercies’
Over his seven decades in Hollywood, Robert Duvall collected several major awards across his work in film and television.
In 1983, the performer won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as an alcoholic country singer in Tender Mercies.
He also earned Oscar nominations for his work in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, The Apostle, A Civil Action, and The Judge.
Duvall won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his acting and his work as an executive producer on 2006 AMC western Broken Trail.
His five total Emmy nominations throughout his career also recognized his work as an actor on 1989 miniseries Lonesome Dove, 1993 series Stalin, and 1997 show The Man Who Captured Eichmann.
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 21:40
Michael Keaton: ‘another friend goes down’
Oscar winner Michael Keaton, who appeared alongside Robert Duvall in Ron Howard’s 1994 movie The Paper, wrote on Instagram: “another friend goes down.
“acted with and became friends. shared a great afternoon on my front porch talking about horses. he was greatness personified as an actor. RIP RD.”
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 21:31
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
The Oscar-winning actor, who has died at 95, was a master at portraying men whose stern authority masked layers of doubt and vulnerability. Kevin E G Perry looks back at a storied Hollywood career that included unforgettable performances in ‘The Godfather’, ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘Tender Mercies’
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 21:26
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.”
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 20:56
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.
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 20:52
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…”
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 20:41
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.”
Carsen Holaday16 February 2026 20:37