We just got news of Robert Duvall’s passing. He was 95 years old. Duvall was a legendary actor whose subtle, grounded, and immensely versatile performances anchored some of the greatest films in American cinema.
His first on-screen role was Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, and he followed it with other famous characters like the napalm-scented Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now and the stoic Tom Hagen in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.
It seemed like all of Hollywood appreciated Duvall. He was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning Best Actor in 1984 for his portrayal of a washed-up country singer in Tender Mercies. Beyond his acting, he was a respected filmmaker, writer, and director.
He leaves behind a filmography that remains a vital textbook for anyone who loves Hollywood.
Let’s dive into his top 10 movies of all time.
1. The Godfather (1972)
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Writers: Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
- Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
From the moment he appears on screen, Duvall’s Tom Hagen is the calm, calculating center of the Corleone storm. As the “consigliere,” he provides a masterclass in playing high-status through stillness. And the first act, when he goes to Hollywood, is basically his movie.
2. Apocalypse Now (1979)
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Writers: John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola
- Cast: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest
In a film defined by madness, Duvall’s Lt. Col. Kilgore is terrifying precisely because he seems so at home in the chaos. It’s not that he’s crazy, it’s that he has a distinct desire out of this war: to surf. That’s how he found meaning. He earned an Oscar nomination for this iconic, scene-stealing turn.
3. Tender Mercies (1983)
- Director: Bruce Beresford
- Writer: Horton Foote
- Cast: Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley
An absolutely underrated movie. Duvall won his Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Mac Sledge, a washed-up country singer looking for second chances. It is a quiet, soulful performance that relies heavily on subtext and restraint.
4. The Apostle (1997)
- Director: Robert Duvall
- Writer: Robert Duvall
- Cast: Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Bob Thornton, June Carter Cash
This was Duvall’s ultimate passion project, and it shows on screen. He funded it himself and delivered one of the most complex, non-judgmental portrayals of religious fervor ever put to film. He’s incredible.
5. The Godfather Part II (1974)
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Writers: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo
- Cast: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Duvall reprises Hagen, showing the character’s growing isolation and internal conflict as Michael Corleone’s power becomes more absolute and increasingly cold. Hagen has to pull a lot of strings in the second movie, and Pacino needs Duvall to balance his performance.
6. Network (1976)
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Writer: Paddy Chayefsky
- Cast: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall
This is a movie everyone should see, not just for the performances but for how relevant it is today. Duvall plays Frank Hackett, a ruthless, bottom-line-driven television executive looking to jack ratings. He serves as the perfect corporate antagonist in Chayefsky’s scathing, prophetic satire.
7. The Great Santini (1979)
Director: Lewis John Carlino
Writer: Lewis John Carlino
Cast: Robert Duvall, Blythe Danner, Michael O’Keefe, Stan Shaw
Duvall knew how to pick apart characters down to their core. As Lt. Col. “Bull” Meechum, Duvall explores the toxic side of military masculinity and fatherhood. It’s a loud, aggressive, yet deeply vulnerable performance that earned him an Oscar nod.
8. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Director: Robert Mulligan
Writer: Horton Foote
Cast: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Robert Duvall, Phillip Alford
In his film debut, Duvall doesn’t speak a single word, but he has to carry a legend on his shoulders and be bigger and more impactful than a little girl’s imagination. As Boo Radley, he uses only his physicality and eyes to create one of the most empathetic and memorable characters in cinema history.
9. Lonesome Dove (1989)
- Director: Simon Wincer
- Writers: Bill Wittliff (based on the novel by Larry McMurtry)
- Cast: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Lane, Danny Glover
Okay, so this is technically a miniseries, but it is a definitive Western that shaped generations. Duvall’s Augustus “Gus” McCrae is widely considered his finest work, blending humor, wisdom, and grit. It’s all power and grace.
10. Open Range (2003)
- Director: Kevin Costner
- Writer: Craig Storper
- Cast: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon
A late-career gem where Duvall plays Boss Spearman, an aging cattleman. This movie is gritty and violent, and seeing Duvall wield a gun and take out bad guys is pretty epic. It’s a grounded, gritty Western that showcases his ability to command the screen with quiet, moral authority.
Summing It All Up
Robert Duvall was one of the greats, and Hollywood will mourn him today. The best way to remember his movies and contributions is to watch them and invite others to watch with you.
I know that’s how I’ll spend the rest of the day.
Let me know in the comments.