Robert Duvall, a veteran American actor who appeared in many iconic films including The Godfather, has died peacefully at the age of 95.
Foreign news agencies reported that Robert Duvall, a veteran American actor known for his roles in legendary films such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, passed away peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday (15 Feb 2026) at the age of 95.
"To the world, he was an Oscar-winning actor, director, and storyteller. To me, he was everything," said a statement from Luciana, Duvall's wife. "His passion for acting matched only the deep love he had for his characters, great meals, and being the center of attention."
She added, "For every one of his many roles, Bob gave his all to his characters and to conveying the true spirit of humanity behind them. In doing so, he left something lasting and unforgettable for all of us."
"Thank you for the support you have given Bob over the years, and thank you for giving us time and privacy to celebrate the memories he left behind."
Throughout his impressive acting career spanning over six decades, Duvall was known for portraying tough men, such as the mafia consigliere in The Godfather (1972) and the influential military officer in Apocalypse Now (1979), set during the Vietnam War.
Although he appeared on screen for only a few minutes, his famous line in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 classic, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," became legendary.
Duvall's role in Apocalypse Now, known in Thai as “The Ruthless Army,” made him a well-known actor. Originally, his character was intended to be more exaggerated, but Duvall toned it down and changed the name from Captain Carnage to Lieutenant Colonel William Kilgore.
"I did my homework," Duvall told veteran talk show host Larry King in 2015. "I did thorough research."
Duvall received six Academy Award nominations and won the Best Actor Oscar in 1983 for his role as a faded country singer in Tender Mercies.
Other roles included a bullying corporate executive in the 1976 film Network and a Marine officer in The Great Santini (1979).
Duvall often said his favorite role was Augustus McCrae, a former Texas lawman turned cowboy, in the 1989 television miniseries Lonesome Dove, based on Larry McMurtry’s novel.
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Source:bbc