Media representatives positioned him as the American Laurence Olivier. Being a talented and bright actor of the dramatic genre, he did not set himself the task of being a Hollywood star at all costs.
Duval Robert is a veteran of American cinematography, who is the owner of many prestigious awards and awards: Oscar, several Golden Globes, several Emmys - among them. The actor from San Diego brilliantly reincarnated not only as a statistical "Yankee", but also could delicately play high-ranking officials and politicians. Duval Robert played even Stalin himself on the screen. The American Film Institute noted that the above actor took part in one hundred films, which were recognized as the best of the best. Duval Robert himself did not hide the fact that his favorite genre in cinema is the western. What was his path to the top of Olympus? Let's take a closer look at this issue.
Biography Facts
Duval Robert is a native of San Diego, California.
He was born on January 5, 1931 in a military family. His father subsequently rose to the rank of admiral, and his mother wasa relative of General Robert Lee himself, who took an active part in the hostilities during the Civil War that unfolded in the United States. Robert Duval, whose biography is filled with bright events and fateful meetings, lived in Annapolis for a long time, since this town was located not far from the country's Naval Academy. For some time the boy studied at schools located in Severn Park and St. Louis. After graduating from Principia College and a Christian Science educational institution, the young man joined the US military.
Teaching the art of acting
Robert Duvall in his youth entered the acting school Neighborhood Playhouse, which was located in New York. It was in 1954.
It was difficult to comprehend the basics of acting on an empty stomach, and the young man decides to get a job as a clerk at the post office. Duval's fellow students were Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman. Subsequently, he will repeatedly meet with these famous actors on the set. Robert was taught theatrical wisdom by Sanford Meisner, who offered him a role in the play "Midnight Call" (Horton Foote). After some time, the creative symbiosis of "Foot and Robert Duvall" will be a priority for the latter. It is the playwright who will work to ensure that the Californian actor is approved for the role of Scarecrow Radley in the sensational film To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
The beginning of a theatrical career
Duval Robert (height 177 cm) will play his debut role in the New YorkTemple of Melpomene "Gate". In 1958, he was entrusted with the role of Frank Gardner in the production of Mrs. Warren's Profession (Bernard Shaw).
Some time later, the Californian actor was involved in the play "Call My Name" (Michael Shartliff), in which he reincarnated as a hero named Doug. It should also be noted the brilliantly played role of Robert in the production of Ulu Grosbart's Days and Nights of Bebe Fenstermaker. Gradually, Meisner's student gained experience and began to win the sympathy of avid theatergoers. The audience began to massively go to performances in which Robert Duval took part. Photos of the actor have often begun to decorate theater posters. Theatergoers especially liked the work of the actor in the play "View from the Bridge", directed by Dustin Hoffman and Ulu Grosbart in 1965. In total, Duval took part in 780 performances.
Work in series
In Robert's life there was a period when he tried his hand at television, which was an excellent launching pad for filming in the serials of the 50-60s of the last century. It should be noted the work of Duval in the tapes "Prison Break" and "Exactly Late".
Screen images, albeit episodic, were remembered by the viewer, and gradually they began to invite him to act in crime dramas, detective stories, westerns. We are talking, in particular, about the films "Defenseless City", "The Untouchables", "Alfred Hitchcock", "Route 66".
Movie career
However, the real test balloon in the cinema for Duval was oncethe popular film To Kill a Mockingbird, where he was to play a teenager who had lived in isolation from society for a long time. Until now, film experts believe that the work of Robert Mulligan is the best film adaptation of Harper Lee's novel. Critics praised the debut of Duval, who was able to transform into the Scarecrow through body language and gestures without speaking. After such a huge success, the directors began to offer a job to the actor from San Diego.
In the 60s he starred in Paul Cabot Winston's film Captain Newman, M. D. (the role of Captain). At the same time, he accepted an offer to play in the fantasy film Countdown. It is also worth noting the brilliant work of the actor in the film "Rain People" (Francis Ford Coppola's film).
In the 70s, actor Robert Duvall takes part in the famous crime drama The Godfather - I, II. He was no longer offered supporting roles: Meisner's student turned into a colorful actor. George Lucas was glad that Robert Duval agreed to play in his film "THX - 1138", reincarnated as a fighter against totalitarian methods of government. With Sam Pakinpah, he played in the film Killer Elite, in which he was entrusted with the role of an unscrupulous killer.
In the 80s, Duval continued to act in quality films. In particular, he succeeded in the role of a sportswriter in the film "Nugget" and the image of a policeman in the film "Colors".
The next decade in the acting career was also fruitful.
Robert Duval, whose filmography includes an unimaginably huge number of bright roles, agrees to play Joseph Stalin in Ivan Passer's film of the same name. "Rogue Rose" (father), "Fall" (cop), "Newspaper" (deceived editor) - these are just a few of what the Californian actor played in the 90s.
Robert Duvall even produced the movie The Apostle. He was also engaged in directing, but did not achieve success in this field.
Regalia and awards
In addition to the fact that the actor has prestigious film awards and awards, his name is immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2005, he received the "National Medal for Achievement in the Arts" - he was personally awarded by George W. Bush at the White House.
Private life
Duval's personal life was also ambiguous. He married four times, but no one bore him children. His other halves were also involved in cinema. His last wife, Argentine actress Luciana Pedraza, is 41 years younger than Duval. However, this fact does not bother the couple in love, and they are happy together. They lived in a civil marriage for a long time and got married only in 2004.
