Landman's Billy Bob Thornton Shares Fond Memories of Mentor Robert Duvall

The actor and filmmaker reveals the deep bond he shared with the legendary actor, including Duvall's quirks, their collaborations, and a 25-year secret Thornton kept from his mentor.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In an exclusive interview, actor and filmmaker Billy Bob Thornton opens up about his close relationship with the late, great Robert Duvall, who served as a surrogate father and mentor to Thornton over the years. Thornton shares numerous stories about Duvall's unique personality, their time working together on films like Sling Blade and The Apostle, and a 25-year secret Thornton kept from his beloved friend and collaborator.

Why it matters

Duvall was one of the most acclaimed and respected actors of his generation, known for iconic roles in films like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Lonesome Dove. His influence on Thornton's career and approach to acting was profound, and their personal bond provided Thornton with the father figure he never had growing up. This inside look at their relationship offers a unique window into the life and legacy of a true Hollywood legend.

The details

Thornton first became enamored with Duvall's acting after seeing his haunting performance as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. Over the years, the two grew close, with Duvall serving as a mentor and father figure to the younger actor and filmmaker. They collaborated on several projects, including Thornton's films Sling Blade and The Apostle, where Duvall's improvisational style and unwillingness to be told how to act left a lasting impression. Thornton also reveals a 25-year secret he kept from Duvall - that he had stopped eating meat, despite Duvall's love of steak and barbecue, in order to avoid disappointing his friend.

  • Thornton and Duvall first became close in the 1980s.
  • They worked together on the films Sling Blade, The Apostle, and The Stars Fell on Henrietta in the 1990s.
  • Thornton kept his secret of not eating meat from Duvall for over 25 years, until Duvall's death.

The players

Robert Duvall

An acclaimed American actor known for his roles in films like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Lonesome Dove. He served as a mentor and father figure to Billy Bob Thornton.

Billy Bob Thornton

An actor, filmmaker, and musician who considered Duvall a close friend and collaborator. Thornton was deeply influenced by Duvall's acting style and approach to the craft.

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What they’re saying

“He had such a wit about him, right up to the end. My band was on tour last year, and we opened for The Who in Miami and then had a date in Newark. We had a couple days drive and he had always asked me to come to his farm in Virginia. Me and the guys went to this unbelievable place. Bobby was always hilarious in his very dry and sometimes cutting way. His wife Luciana took a video of me standing there by Bobby. He's in a chair and she says, 'Bobby, aren't you happy that Billy came by to see you?' Bobby goes, 'why would I be happy about that?'”

— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor and Filmmaker (Deadline)

“The funny thing about him is he didn't really like to talk about acting. He didn't like to talk about the process of it. And I never have either. I think I got a lot of that from him. He would tell you stories, about what happened on the set, like how Brando had him put the words on his chest so he could read his lines. Bobby would tell you stuff like that, or he'd tell you about some girl who was around that screwed everybody on the set or something. He loved gossip. He loved to gossip.”

— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor and Filmmaker (Deadline)

The takeaway

Thornton's intimate recollections of his decades-long friendship and creative partnership with Robert Duvall provide a unique glimpse into the life and legacy of one of the greatest actors of his generation. Their bond, forged through mutual respect and a shared passion for the craft of acting, left an indelible mark on Thornton's own career and approach to his work.