Francis Ford Coppola pays emotional tribute to ‘The Godfather’ star Robert Duvall
Francis Ford Coppola has paid tribute to the late Robert Duvall, calling him “Such a great actor”.
Duvall passed away aged 95 on February 15th, with his wife announcing the news in a Facebook post which 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.”
She added: “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented.”
Tributes from across Hollywood flooded in for the iconic actor, who starred in huge films such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. To this end, Coppola, who directed him in both those films, also shared his condolences.
Taking to Instagram after the news was announced on February 16th, the director wrote: “What a blow to learn of the loss of Robert Duvall. Such a great actor and such an essential part of American Zoetrope from its beginning.”
Going on to list some of Duvall’s most prolific credits, Coppola mentioned: “The Rain People, The Conversation, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, THX 1138, Assassination Tango.”
Over the course of his career, Duvall always remained a great admirer of Coppola for all he has achieved in the film industry, previously recalling to USA Today: “There was a well-known director who came up to us at the St. Regis [Hotel in New York] after Godfather 1. Jimmy Caan and all of us were there. And this director said, ‘I loved you boys in the movie. I don’t know about the movie, but you guys were terrific’.”
He added at the time: “In three lifetimes, this director could never do what Coppola did in Godfather 1. But that’s the furthest I’ll go.”
Other high-profile tributes paid to Duvall included his Godfather co-star Al Pacino, who said (via Variety): “It was an honour to have worked with Robert Duvall. He was a born actor as they say, his connection with it, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will always be remembered. I will miss him.”
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