Robert Duvall Bio
Robert Selden Duvall (born January 5, 1931) is an American actor and filmmaker. With a career spanning seven decades, he is regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. He has received an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, four Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Duvall began his career on television with minor roles in the 1960s on The Defenders, Playhouse 90, and Armstrong Circle Theatre. He 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 nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play. He made his feature film acting debut portraying Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). Other early roles include Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), Bullitt (1968), True Grit (1969), M*A*S*H (1970), THX 1138 (1971), Joe Kidd (1972), and Tomorrow (1972), the last of which was developed at the Actors Studio and is his personal favorite.
Early Life and Background
Robert Duvall was born on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, to Mildred Virginia Duvall, an amateur actress, and Rear Admiral William Howard Duvall, United States Navy. The second of three sons, he has an elder brother, William Jr., and a younger brother, John. Duvall’s mother was a relative of American Civil War General Robert E. Lee, and his father was a descendant of settler Mareen Duvall. Duvall was raised in the Christian Science religion and has stated that, while it is his belief, he does not attend church. He grew up primarily in Annapolis, Maryland, where he attended Severn School and The Principia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from Principia College in 1953. His father expected him to attend the Naval Academy, but Duvall pursued acting instead. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1954, during which he acted in an amateur production of Room Service. In 1955, he attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City under Sanford Meisner, where he studied alongside notable actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.
Path to Hollywood
Duvall began his professional acting career with the Gateway Playhouse, an Equity summer theater based in Bellport, New York. His stage debut was in its 1952 season. After serving in the Army, he returned to Gateway in 1955, where he played various roles. Duvall’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, which he performed at the Gateway Theatre in 1957. This performance led to significant opportunities in television and film. Duvall made his television debut on Armstrong Circle Theater in 1959 and appeared regularly on shows like Naked City and The Untouchables during the 1960s. His film debut was in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), where he was cast on the recommendation of screenwriter Horton Foote. Following this, he took on various roles in films throughout the 1960s, establishing himself as a talented character actor.
Robert Duvall Career
Early Career (1952–1969)
Duvall’s early career was marked by stage performances and television appearances. He gained recognition for his work in the Gateway Playhouse and made his off-Broadway debut in George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession in 1958. His notable performances during this period include roles in A Streetcar Named Desire and the critically acclaimed A View from the Bridge. Duvall’s film career began with To Kill a Mockingbird, followed by significant roles in Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) and Bullitt (1968).
Breakthrough (1970–1989)
Duvall’s breakthrough came in the 1970s, particularly with his portrayal of Tom Hagen in The Godfather (1972) and its sequel, The Godfather Part II (1974). His performance in Apocalypse Now (1979) as Lt. Colonel Kilgore earned him both a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Tender Mercies (1983), where he played an alcoholic former country music star. He also starred in the miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989), which became one of his most celebrated roles.
Notable Works and Milestones
Duvall’s signature works include The Godfather series, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies. His performances have garnered numerous accolades, solidifying his status as a leading figure in American cinema.
Robert Duvall Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Robert Duvall has received numerous nominations for prestigious awards, including the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.
Robert Duvall Awards Won
Robert Duvall has won several notable awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Tender Mercies, a BAFTA Award, and multiple Golden Globe Awards.
Robert Duvall Family
Robert Duvall has been married four times. His first wife was Barbara Benjamin, whom he married in 1964 and divorced in 1975. He then married Gail Youngs from 1982 to 1986, followed by Sharon Brophy from 1991 to 1995. Since 2005, he has been married to Luciana Pedraza.
Personal Life
Duvall does not have any children and has expressed that he has faced challenges in relationships. He is known for his passion for Argentine tango and has a tango studio in both Argentina and the United States. Duvall is also an advocate for various philanthropic causes, including the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund, which he co-founded with his wife to assist families in Northern Argentina.
