Robert Duvall
- Born:
- January 5, 1931, San Diego, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Actor, Director, Producer
Early Life and Education
- Son of William Howard Duvall, a U.S. Navy admiral, and Mildred Virginia Hart Duvall.
- Raised in a Methodist family.
- Attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1953.
- Served in the United States Army for two years after college.
- Studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City under Sanford Meisner.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his acting career on stage in the late 1950s.
- Gained recognition for his roles in television shows such as "Route 66" and "The Twilight Zone" in the early 1960s.
- Breakthrough film role in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962).
- Received critical acclaim for his performance as Major Frank Burns in "MASH" (1970).
- Starred as Tom Hagen in "The Godfather" (1972) and "The Godfather Part II" (1974). While Robert Duvall was a prominent part of the first two installments, he did not appear in 'Robert Duvall biography Godfather 3' due to a salary dispute.
- Won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Tender Mercies" (1983).
- Directed and starred in "The Apostle" (1997), receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
- Continues to work prolifically in film and television.
Notable Works
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | To Kill a Mockingbird | Arthur 'Boo' Radley |
| 1970 | MASH | Major Frank Burns |
| 1972 | The Godfather | Tom Hagen |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II | Tom Hagen |
| 1979 | Apocalypse Now | Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore |
| 1983 | Tender Mercies | Mac Sledge |
| 1997 | The Apostle | Euliss 'Sonny' Dewey |
| 2003 | Gods and Generals | General Robert E. Lee |
| 2009 | Crazy Heart | Wayne Kramer |
Legacy and Impact
Robert Duvall is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, known for his versatility, intensity, and commitment to his craft. His contributions to film and television have left an indelible mark on American cinema.