Hollywood Legends Remember Robert Duvall as 'One of the Greatest Actors'

Adam Sandler, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Alec Baldwin pay tribute to the Oscar-winning actor who died at 95.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Legendary actor Robert Duvall, known for his roles in films like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies, passed away at the age of 95. Fellow actors Adam Sandler, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Alec Baldwin have all paid tribute to Duvall, calling him 'one of the greatest actors' and praising his incredible talent and impact on the film industry.

Why it matters

Duvall was a towering figure in Hollywood, with a career spanning over 70 years and numerous iconic performances. His death marks the end of an era, as the industry mourns the loss of one of its most revered and influential actors.

The details

Duvall's wife, Luciana, announced his passing on Facebook, writing that he died peacefully at home surrounded by love and comfort. Sandler, who co-starred with Duvall in the 2022 film Hustle, called him 'funny as hell' and 'strong as hell,' and said 'we all loved him so much.' Curtis shared a still from Duvall's performance in The Godfather, calling him 'the greatest consigliere the screen has ever seen.' Baldwin praised Duvall's powerful performance in To Kill a Mockingbird, saying it 'completely shatters you' without a single line of dialogue.

  • Duvall died on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • His death was announced by his wife on Facebook on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Robert Duvall

A legendary actor with a 70-year career, known for his roles in films like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies, for which he won an Academy Award.

Adam Sandler

An actor who co-starred with Duvall in the 2022 film Hustle.

Jamie Lee Curtis

An actress who paid tribute to Duvall's iconic performance in The Godfather.

Alec Baldwin

An actor who praised Duvall's powerful performance in To Kill a Mockingbird and described him as 'irascible' but 'a gentleman.'

Luciana Duvall

Robert Duvall's wife, who announced his passing on Facebook.

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What they’re saying

“Funny as hell. Strong as hell. One of the greatest actors we ever had. Such a great man to talk to and laugh with. Loved him so much. We all did. So many movies to choose from that were legendary. Watch them when you can.”

— Adam Sandler, Actor (Instagram)

“The greatest consigliere the screen has ever seen.”

— Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress (Instagram)

“He completely shatters you. And whenever I watch that movie, those scenes with Duvall are just so arresting to me.”

— Alec Baldwin, Actor (Instagram)

The takeaway

Robert Duvall's passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood, as the industry mourns the loss of one of its most revered and influential actors. His iconic performances and lasting impact on the art of filmmaking will continue to inspire generations of actors and storytellers to come.