Hollywood mourns 'giant' Robert Duvall

HOLLYWOOD is mourning the death of screen legend Robert Duvall, who died on Sunday at the age of 95.

In a statement posted on Facebook, his wife Luciana said: “Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.

“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything.”

Duvall was born in San Diego, California, in January 1931, and served in the US Army in his younger days, before taking up acting.

He once told People magazine: “I was terrible at everything but acting - I could barely get through school."

After supporting roles in Bullitt and True Grit, while he also earned plaudits for his performance in M*A*S*H, he went to play his iconic roles of Tom Hagen in the 1972 classic The Godfather, which earned him an Oscar nomination and Lieutenant-Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.

Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983 for his portrayal of an alcoholic former country music star in the film Tender Mercies.

Viola Davis led tributes to her Widows co-star, writing: “I’ve always been in awe of your towering portrayals of men who were both quiet and dominating in their humanness. You were a giant… an icon…”

Adam Sandler wrote: “One of the greatest actors we ever had. Such a great man to talk to and laugh with. So many movies to choose from that were legendary. Watch them when you can.”

Michael Keaton also heaped praise on his former co-star and friend, saying: “He was greatness personified as an actor. RIP RD (sic)"