From his film debut as Boo Radley in 1962's "To Kill a Mockingbird" to his turn as consigliere Tom Hagen in "The Godfather," Robert Duvall brought a quiet intensity and naturalism to every role he played.
Over a career spanning seven decades, Duvall appeared in more than 90 films, collaborating with some of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers and performers.
His work earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for his performance in 1983's "Tender Mercies."
Duvall died Sunday at age 95, according to his wife, Luciana Pedraza. In honor of the legendary actor, here's a look back at some of his most memorable and influential roles.
Duvall earned an Oscar nomination for his supporting role as Lt. Col. William "Bill" Kilgore, a surfing-obsessed military officer, in Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam War film "Apocalypse Now."
Though he appears on screen for only a short time, Kilgore became one of the movie's most memorable characters, capturing the film’s strange and unsettling view of war.
In a 1984 interview with KCRA, Duvall reflected on the film’s impact, recalling the intense filming process and how "Apocalypse Now" connected with audiences around the world.
The film also stars Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper and Harrison Ford.
Duvall earned an Academy Award nomination for playing Tom Hagen, the Corleone family's trusted adviser.
Adopted into the family, Hagen is the calm, level-headed problem solver, handling negotiations and legal matters for Vito Corleone, and later his son Michael.
Duvall returned to the role in "The Godfather: Part II," showing how Hagen remains loyal even as Michael pushes him further to the sidelines while taking control of the family.
In a 2022 interview with The A.V. Club, Duvall recalled sensing early on that the film would endure.
"Well, I've only felt that twice. I felt that about a third of the way through 'Godfather.' I said, 'we're really doing something I think pretty special here that will live on for a long time to come.' I felt that we were making a really important film," he told the outlet at the time.
Duvall starred as Mac Sledge, a washed-up country singer battling alcoholism who finds quiet redemption in a small Texas town.
To prepare, he traveled hundreds of miles across Texas, recording regional accents and playing with local country bands, according to Turner Classic Movies.
The deeply restrained performance earned Duvall the Academy Award for Best Actor and is widely regarded as one of the finest of his career.
As Augustus "Gus" McCrae, a witty, warm-hearted former Texas Ranger, Duvall anchored the epic Western with humor, loyalty and emotional depth. The role earned him an Emmy Award and remains one of the most beloved characters in television history.
Duvall frequently cited Gus as his favorite role, once calling "Lonesome Dove" "the 'Godfather' of Westerns" during a 2021 appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Duvall made his film debut as Boo Radley, the shy, misunderstood neighbor whose brief appearance leaves a powerful emotional impression.
The role highlighted Duvall's ability to say a great deal without words -- using subtle expression and stillness -- a style that became a hallmark of his career.
Looking back, Duvall expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
"It was terrific to be given that part," he told People in 2003. "I think I did okay."
