Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and all of Hollywood say goodbye to Robert Duvall

“He was a born actor. His connection to this art, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will remain forever.”

The death of Robert Duvall, icon of American cinema, at the age of 95, triggered a wave of tributes from across the industry.

The Oscar-winning actor, unforgettable in The Godfather (1972), The Godfather, Part 2 (1974), Apocalypse Now (1979) and Tender Happiness (1983), died Sunday evening at his home in Middleburg, Virginia. The announcement was made by his wife, Luciana Duvall.

In the wake of this announcement, his playing partners did not fail to honor his memory.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Al Pacino praised “the honor of having worked with Robert Duvall. He was a born actor, as they say. His connection to this art, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will remain forever. I will miss him.”

Robert De Niro delivered a brief and poignant tribute: “God bless Bobby. I hope to live to be 95. May he rest in peace.”

Other voices joined in these farewells.

Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “The greatest consigliere the screen has ever seen. Well done, Robert Duvall.”

Michael Keaton, who shared the poster with him in The Journal (1994), a friend remembered:

“Another friend passing away. We played together and became close. We spent a wonderful afternoon on my porch talking about horses. He embodied greatness as an actor.”

Viola Davis, who played with him in The Widowsin 2018, praised its unique power: “I was amazed. I have always been amazed by your monumental incarnations of men who were both silent and dominant in their humanity. You were a giant… an icon… Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, Silence and shadows, Tender Happiness, The Preacher, Lonesome Dove… Greatness never dies. It remains… like a gift. Rest in peace, sir. Your name will be pronounced… May choirs of angels accompany you.”

Another tribute, that of Walton Goggins, who had crossed paths with Duvall on The Preacher (1997): “The celestial light has just lost its shine… For me anyway. Bobby Duvall, the greatest storyteller of all time, has just passed away. He was my friend. My mentor. These photos have been with me for 30 years, taken on the set of the film he wrote and directed. I was 24 years old. The privilege of working with this man, of knowing him, remains the most important experience of my life. He was my North Star, my hero.”

Alec Baldwin also paid tribute to the memory of Robert Duvall in a video published online, reflecting on the immense impact of the actor on his own love of cinema. He talks about his very first appearance on screen, in Silence and shadowswhere Duvall played Boo Radley without saying a single word. “It completely breaks you. Every time I rewatch this film, its scenes are so gripping,” confides Baldwin, admiringly, before adding that the actor is located “up there, among the greatest.”

Finally, Stephen King chose sobriety by quoting one of the most legendary lines of his career, taken fromApocalypse Now : “I love the smell of napalm in the early morning!” before simply concluding: “Rest in peace Robert Duvall.”