by Mark Askeda

Created on: November 22, 2011   Last Updated: November 27, 2011

Robert Selden Duvall (born January 5, 1931) is an accomplished American actor and director.  His first roles were as character actors in the late 1950s when he received small roles on various television series.  He quickly rose in stature and became one of the most famous actors of his time.  He won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and on British Academy Film Award over his career.

He acted in no less than 80 feature films and starred in many of the finest films of the last 50 years.  He has also directed or wrote dozens of other works.  His most famous roles are as follows:

The Godfather.  In his most famous role, Duvall plays Vito Corleone’s adopted son, Tom Hagen.  He was the consigliere of the most powerful crime family in New York during the 1940s and 1950s. 

Godfather 2.  Duvall reprised his role as Tom Hagen.  This time, he is in the service of Michael Corleone, the son of Vito. 

MASH.  Duvall played Major Frank Burns in the 1970 dark comedy , MASH.  This film was eventually made into the television series of the same name.  The character of Burns was played by Larry Linville.

Apocalypse Now.  Duvall played Lt. Kilgore in this classic Vietnam War movie.  His most famous line “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” is one of the most famous in cinema history.

The Natural.  In this successful 1984 baseball movie, Duvall plays sportswriter Max Mercy.

THX 1138.  Duvall plays THX 1138 in a dystopian future in this full length film debut of George Lucas.

Deep Impact.  Duvall plays an astronaut whose crew takes a Space Shuttle on a one way mission to deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.

Lonesome Dove.  According to Robert Duvall, his role of Captain Augustus McRae in this acclaimed mini series was his favorite role.  He plays a retired Texas Ranger looking for an adventure and goes on a 1,500 mile cattle drive with his lifelong friend, Captain Woodrow Call.

Other highly acclaimed movies in which he starred include “Tender Mercies”, “The Great Santini”, “The Man Who Captured Eichmann”, “The Apostle”, “A Civil Action”, “Broken Trail” and “Get Low”. 

Robert Duvall is involved in politics with the Republican Party.  He labels himself as a Conservative or Libertarian.  He worked actively for George Bush, Rudy Guliani and John McCain.  His charitable efforts include fundraising for children’s cancer centers and he is actively involved in several different charities.

Duval has no children and has been married four times.  His current wife, Argentine born Luciana Pedraza is 40 years younger than Duvall.

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