Robert Duvall, star of Secondhand Lions, dies at 95

Robert Selden Duvall, one of the last stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, died Sunday at the age of 95. He died peacefully at home in Middleburg, Va., according to a statement from his wife, Luciana Pedraza. Duvall is perhaps best remembered for his portrayals of gunslinging cowboys, soldiers, and, later in life, gruff authority figures. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of a flawed country singer in 1983’s Tender Mercies. Duvall is survived by Pedraza, his fourth wife. He did not have any children.

Duvall was raised in San Diego, Calif., in the Christian Science religion. His professional acting career began at the Gateway Playhouse in New York in 1952. He debuted onscreen in the 1960s with a small role in “The Jailbreak,” an episode of Armstrong Circle Theater, an anthology drama series. He went on to play leading roles in action, suspense, detective, and crime dramas.

What was Duvall best known for? During his 70-year career, Duvall starred in classic films and TV shows such as True Grit, M*A*S*H, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, Days of Thunder, Jack Reacher, and Lonesome Dove. He was nominated for 128 acting and filmmaking awards and won 61 of them, including an Academy Award for Best Actor, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Dig deeper: Read this report from Ted Kluck on Lonesome Dove, a classic TV Western starring Robert Duvall.