Robert Duvall
Author: Trudy Stroup
Robert Duvall is one of my favorite actors, but by now, I'm sure you have figured out that I have a lot of favorite actors. What can I say? I appreciate the art. Although I grew up watching Robert Duvall on the big screen, it always seems like he is a completely different person from the character that he portrayed in his last role. He was definitely not a typecast actor. He could go from cowboy to preacher in the blink of an eye and then turn around and be an astronaut or a simpleton, a drunk or a veteran. But who is the man? What is he like away from the camera? I still don't know. I searched every website, magazine, and newspaper I could find and they all have the same information, almost word for word. If ever I were able to interview an actor, it would be Robert Duvall.
Robert Seldon Duvall was born into a military on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California. His father, William Howard Duvall, was a Naval Admiral with a long history of service to our great nation. His mother, Mildred Virginia, studied acting. There is no mention of siblings, so I looked up some other famous Duvalls and in each case, it was clear that there was no familial ties to the actor Robert Duvall. However, I stumbled upon a lesser known actor, William Duvall, who claims to be the older brother of Robert and John. William is now a music teacher at the University of Wisconsin. Also absent was any description of his childhood; although being born into a military family, I can imagine that it was quite transient. Even Admirals are transferred from post to post while on active duty.
After completing high school at The Severn, a naval academy, Robert studied first at The Principia, a Christian Science college in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating from there, he continued his education at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, adding acting to his studies all along the way. There is some hint that Robert acted in plays in school. He spent 1953 and 1954 in the military, serving in Korea.
Upon returning to the states, Robert settled in New York City. Hoping to make it in show business, he enrolled in Meisner Neighborhood Playhouse to study acting. While supporting himself and paying for acting classes Robert worked a few odd jobs. He was a postal clerk, a clerk at Macy's Department Store and a truck driver. Robert soon crossed paths with another struggling artist of the time and the two teamed up to cut the living expenses. That struggling actor was none other than Dustin Hoffman. They became fast friends, and would soon befriend another struggling actor, Gene Hackman. The trio would play in small roles throughout the latter half of the 1950's; garnering fame in television both as extras and in leading roles.
Bob's big break on the big screen wouldn't come until 1962's "To Kill a Mockingbird". His role wasn't as a witty conversationalist, but as the simpleton-yet-complex neighbor Boo Radley. His portrayal of the awkward, reclusive man caught the attention of reviewers everywhere who sang his praises. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic that has withstood the test of time; a brilliant story that remains popular today in both the film version and the original book which still graces reading lists in English classes on both high school and college levels of education.
Boo Radley was not the only iconic role Robert was to tackle. He also portrayed characters in 1970's "M*A*S*H", 1972's "The Godfather", 1974's "The Godfather II", 1979's "Apocalypse Now" and "The Great Santini", 1981's "True Confessions", and 1983's "Tender Mercies" for which he won an Oscar. It seems that from the beginning, Robert not only acted with "the greats", but he was also destined to be one of "the greats" along with such stars as Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando, and Al Pacino.
In the early '80's, Robert wrote the script for the movie "The Apostle", but no one would touch it. Without a backer, director, or producer, he had to put it on the shelf. It would be another 15 years before Robert decided to invest his own money and put it into production. He also starred in the film, garnering his fifth Oscar nomination. The 1990's were a busy time for Robert. Up until then, he only did one or maybe two films a year, but he was in demand in the 90's when he cranked out an impressive twenty plus projects for screen and television. Along the way, Robert was married four times, but he never had any children. He was quoted saying, "I've tried with a lot of different women and never had any kids…guess I'm shooting blanks".
In 2001, Robert and his current wife, Luciana, started Robert Duvall's Children's Fund. Their goal is to help children and their families around the world with the basic necessities of life. In the United States, they have partnered with The Henry and William Evans Home for Children in Winchester, Virginia. The home was established in 1949 and is an old and well respected organization for their work with abused and battered children and mothers. Robert Duvall is about to celebrate his 85th birthday and is still quite active in both his devotion to his children's fund and his acting career. I can't wait to see what’s next for this legendary star!
© 2015-2016 Trudy Stroup. All rights reserved.
Author: Trudy Stroup
Robert Duvall is one of my favorite actors, but by now, I'm sure you have figured out that I have a lot of favorite actors. What can I say? I appreciate the art. Although I grew up watching Robert Duvall on the big screen, it always seems like he is a completely different person from the character that he portrayed in his last role. He was definitely not a typecast actor. He could go from cowboy to preacher in the blink of an eye and then turn around and be an astronaut or a simpleton, a drunk or a veteran. But who is the man? What is he like away from the camera? I still don't know. I searched every website, magazine, and newspaper I could find and they all have the same information, almost word for word. If ever I were able to interview an actor, it would be Robert Duvall.
Robert Seldon Duvall was born into a military on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California. His father, William Howard Duvall, was a Naval Admiral with a long history of service to our great nation. His mother, Mildred Virginia, studied acting. There is no mention of siblings, so I looked up some other famous Duvalls and in each case, it was clear that there was no familial ties to the actor Robert Duvall. However, I stumbled upon a lesser known actor, William Duvall, who claims to be the older brother of Robert and John. William is now a music teacher at the University of Wisconsin. Also absent was any description of his childhood; although being born into a military family, I can imagine that it was quite transient. Even Admirals are transferred from post to post while on active duty.
After completing high school at The Severn, a naval academy, Robert studied first at The Principia, a Christian Science college in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating from there, he continued his education at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, adding acting to his studies all along the way. There is some hint that Robert acted in plays in school. He spent 1953 and 1954 in the military, serving in Korea.
Upon returning to the states, Robert settled in New York City. Hoping to make it in show business, he enrolled in Meisner Neighborhood Playhouse to study acting. While supporting himself and paying for acting classes Robert worked a few odd jobs. He was a postal clerk, a clerk at Macy's Department Store and a truck driver. Robert soon crossed paths with another struggling artist of the time and the two teamed up to cut the living expenses. That struggling actor was none other than Dustin Hoffman. They became fast friends, and would soon befriend another struggling actor, Gene Hackman. The trio would play in small roles throughout the latter half of the 1950's; garnering fame in television both as extras and in leading roles.
Bob's big break on the big screen wouldn't come until 1962's "To Kill a Mockingbird". His role wasn't as a witty conversationalist, but as the simpleton-yet-complex neighbor Boo Radley. His portrayal of the awkward, reclusive man caught the attention of reviewers everywhere who sang his praises. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic that has withstood the test of time; a brilliant story that remains popular today in both the film version and the original book which still graces reading lists in English classes on both high school and college levels of education.
Boo Radley was not the only iconic role Robert was to tackle. He also portrayed characters in 1970's "M*A*S*H", 1972's "The Godfather", 1974's "The Godfather II", 1979's "Apocalypse Now" and "The Great Santini", 1981's "True Confessions", and 1983's "Tender Mercies" for which he won an Oscar. It seems that from the beginning, Robert not only acted with "the greats", but he was also destined to be one of "the greats" along with such stars as Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando, and Al Pacino.
In the early '80's, Robert wrote the script for the movie "The Apostle", but no one would touch it. Without a backer, director, or producer, he had to put it on the shelf. It would be another 15 years before Robert decided to invest his own money and put it into production. He also starred in the film, garnering his fifth Oscar nomination. The 1990's were a busy time for Robert. Up until then, he only did one or maybe two films a year, but he was in demand in the 90's when he cranked out an impressive twenty plus projects for screen and television. Along the way, Robert was married four times, but he never had any children. He was quoted saying, "I've tried with a lot of different women and never had any kids…guess I'm shooting blanks".
In 2001, Robert and his current wife, Luciana, started Robert Duvall's Children's Fund. Their goal is to help children and their families around the world with the basic necessities of life. In the United States, they have partnered with The Henry and William Evans Home for Children in Winchester, Virginia. The home was established in 1949 and is an old and well respected organization for their work with abused and battered children and mothers. Robert Duvall is about to celebrate his 85th birthday and is still quite active in both his devotion to his children's fund and his acting career. I can't wait to see what’s next for this legendary star!
© 2015-2016 Trudy Stroup. All rights reserved.