A few months before his death at age 95, Robert Duvall shared a sweet message with his fans.
“To all my fans, I hope you have a Merry Thanksgiving and a great year ahead,” the “Godfather” star said in a November Facebook clip. “God bless you.”
Luciana Duvall, the “Apocalypse Now” star’s wife of more than 20 years, confirmed that the Hollywood legend passed away on Sunday.
“Yesterday, we said goodbye to our beloved husband, dear friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time,” she wrote on Facebook Monday, adding that the “Judge” actor “passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and peace.”
“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, director, and storyteller,” Luciana continued. “For me, he was everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love of character, great food, and holding court.”
Luciana went on to say that the beloved acting icon “gives his all to the characters and the truth of the human spirit they represent” in his performances.
“In doing so, he left us all with something lasting and unforgettable,” she said. “Thank you for your continued support of Bob and for allowing us the time and privacy to celebrate the memories he left behind.”
Luciana’s obituary included a photo of the couple posing with a horse and two puppies on their Virginia ranch.
Meanwhile, Duvall’s last social media post was a Feb. 3 Facebook message about the 2003 film Second Hand Lions, in which he co-starred with Haley Joel Osment and Michael Caine.
“One day, while we were filming “Second Hand Lions,” the lion went outside,” Duvall joked a few days before his death. “If he had looked in my direction, I wouldn’t be here today!”
The Oscar winner then spoke glowingly about his co-star and the comedy-drama’s director Tim McCanleys.
“I really enjoyed working on this film with director Tim McCanlies and actors Haley Joel Osment and Michael Caine,” he wrote alongside a clip from “Second Hand Lions.”
A month ago, the day before his big birthday, Duvall shared another sweet clip that included a childhood photo and recent footage.
This emotional video was created by his wife and included the text “95” and “A Mighty Ride.”
“In preparation for tomorrow’s Big 95, Luciana surprised me with this amazing birthday video!” he captioned the sweet birthday clip. “Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.”
Born on January 5, 1931 in San Diego, California, Duvall’s first major film role was as Boo Radley in the 1962 film adaptation of A Tale of Alabama.
He received his first Oscar nomination for his role as Tom Hagen in The Godfather in 1972, and reunited with director Francis Ford Coppola for 1974’s The Godfather: Part II and 1979’s Apocalypse Now.
But it wasn’t until 1983’s Tender Mercies, in which Duvall starred alongside Tess Harper, Betty Buckley and Ellen Barkin, that the acting legend won his first and only Best Actor Oscar.
“In accordance with Mr. Duvall’s wishes, a formal funeral service will not be held,” Duvall’s loved ones wrote in a memorial.
“Instead, the family encourages those who wish to honor his memory to do so in a way that reflects the life he lived, whether by watching a great movie, sharing a good story around the table with friends, or taking a drive through the countryside to appreciate the beauty of the world,” they added.
