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Robert Duvall

FULL NAME	Robert Selden Duvall
BORN	January 5, 1931, San Diego, California, USA
ASSOCIATION	Actor (Director, Producer, Writer)
NATIONALITY	American
REVIEWED ENTRIES	37 (35)
MAX. RATING	(actor) (The Apostle) (filmmaker) (The Apostle)
MIN. RATING	(actor) (filmmaker)
AVERAGE RATING	4.00 (actor) 3.83 (filmmaker)
STRENGTHS	Naturalistic approach, methodic acting Powerful screen presence and intensity Remarkable depth of character

FILMOGRAPHY (ONLY REVIEWED ENTRIES)

FILMMAKER FILMOGRAPHY (ONLY REVIEWED ENTRIES)

BIO

Of all the actors and actresses I admire, I don't think anyone performs as prolifically at such a high level as Robert Duvall. He almost never gives a weak performance, and he always seems believable, no matter what character he portrays.

Duvall came fairly late to acting but made an unforgettable debut in Robert Mulligan's acclaimed To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and has since appeared in a remarkably high number of well-received or high-profile films: The Chase, Bullitt, M*A*S*H, THX 1138, The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather, Part II, Network, Apocalypse Now, Days of Thunder, and The Paper, just to name a few. He has a knack for portraying hard-edged authoritarian characters, but many of his most memorable performances have come in touching, sensitive, and often very emotionally expressive (and demanding) roles. His ability to dive deep into his roles and make any character believable is singular.

Every once in a while, Duvall has also taken a turn in the director's chair, and when he does, his work is incredibly personal and forceful. He was hailed for his Angelo, My Love in 1983, but it would take 14 years before he directed again, with the magnificent portrait of a misfortunate minister in The Apostle. It was an important film for Duvall – one that he struggled to raise money for and ended up financing partly himself. And although it hasn't received the attention it deserves, it stands as one of the best films of its kind.

Now in his twilight years, Duvall's position in the business is unique. He alternates between leading and character roles and is frequently hailed for his work. He has a striking and commanding look – handsome in a rough, unconventional way, but with a soft smile. As Leonard Maltin pointed out, his face wouldn't look out of place on Mount Rushmore. He is one of the few actors who can expect to find his name high up on the cast list for as long as he chooses to (or is able to) continue acting.

AWARDS

QUOTES

On why he didn't do The Godfather III:
“Why were they doing this? They were doing it for money, because Coppola’s always looking for money. He lives high on the hog. I figured if I was going to do it, come up with some real money."

On Marlon Brando:
"When we did The Chase, he was talking and he turned to act as an extension of what [occurred before the scene]. I think that offhandedness is pretty special. I learned that from him. I said to my [then] wife, “We’re go­ing to be like brothers. I love this guy.” Then he wouldn’t even say good morning for eight weeks. He’d just walk past you. I wasn’t used to people like that."

About Scottish footballer Ally McCoist:
“McCoisty – what a character! I said to Albert Finney, I’m working with this guy McCoist, the footballer, I’m gonna make an actor out of him,” and Finney said [puts on gravelly-posh Finney accent] ‘Shahp as a tack!’ He was right."

About Michael Owen:
“McCoist was a good footballer, of course, but not as good as Michael Owen – I love Michael Owen, he’s great. He almost beat Argentina single-handed – I got on the phone to people, I was saying, ‘You should see this kid – he’s brilliant.’ I looked into his record, and I found that in your version of ‘little league’ when he was 12 years old he scored 13 goals in 18 minutes one game. Incredible!”

About Scottish footballer Jimmy Johnston:
“I met a lot of characters in my time, Texas, here, there, all over – the biggest I ever met was Jimmy Johnston. We spent about two hours talking – what an entertaining guy, just to sit and talk for two hours. People say the Scots are dour, but they’re not: they’re like the Italians, they throw things, they curse!”

About his career:
“I always figured that I was a sort of a ‘late bloomer’ – I felt my time was later than guys like Jimmy Caan, De Niro, Pacino. It’s later now… I guess I’m still around! In fact, I’m getting more offers than ever – that’s fine with me. They want me to do Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea.”

Asked about if there are any downsides to being an autheuristic director:
"I suppose there is a downside but I love it. I would like to do more but I don’t have any ideas."

CHARACTER QUOTES

Rambling Rose (1991)

Daddy (Robert Duvall): "Put your damn tit back in your dress. Do you hear me girl? Replace that tit!"

The Apostle (1997)

The Apostle E.F.: "I'm a genuine, Holy Ghost, Jesus-filled preachin' machine this mornin'!"

The Apostle E.F.: "I may be on the devil's hit-list, but I'm on God's mailing list."