Robert Duvall Dies: ‘Godfather’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’ Star Was 95

Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor whose career spanned seven decades and brought to life iconic characters in films like “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” has died. He was 95.

Duvall passed away peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, according to a statement released by his public relations agency on behalf of his wife, Luciana. The news was widely reported on Monday, February 16, 2026, by outlets including Good Morning America, USA Today, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Born Robert Selden Duvall on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, Duvall established himself as a distinctive and versatile presence in American cinema. He began his career with minor television roles in the 1960s, appearing in programs like “The Defenders” and “Playhouse 90,” before making a memorable film debut as Boo Radley in 1962’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a role notable for requiring him to deliver no lines of dialogue.

His breakthrough roles continued with performances as the outlaw Ned Pepper in “True Grit” (1969) and as Major Frank Burns in Robert Altman’s darkly comedic “M*A*S*H” (1970). He also starred in George Lucas’s directorial debut, “THX 1138” (1971).

Duvall’s portrayal of Tom Hagen in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” (1972) cemented his status as a leading actor. He continued his collaboration with Coppola in “Apocalypse Now” (1979), delivering a now-iconic performance as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, uttering the memorable line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”

He received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Tender Mercies” (1983). Throughout his career, Duvall was nominated for seven Academy Awards and received numerous other accolades, including a BAFTA Award, four Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Duvall’s range extended beyond war epics and crime dramas. He portrayed Bull Meechum in “The Great Santini” (1979) and President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the television miniseries “Ike: The War Years.” He appeared in over 90 films, working with some of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers and performers.

According to a statement released by Duvall’s wife, Luciana, he passed away surrounded by love and comfort. The family has chosen not to hold a formal service, instead requesting that those wishing to honor his memory do so by “watching a great film, telling a good story around a table with friends, or taking a drive in the countryside to appreciate the world’s beauty.”

Robert Duvall’s legacy as one of the greatest actors of his generation is secure, marked by a dedication to his craft and a remarkable ability to inhabit a diverse range of characters with a signature naturalism and calm intensity.