See Robert Duvall’s Life in Photos as the Legendary Actor Turns 94

Robert Duvall is celebrating another trip around the sun.

The Oscar winner, whose 94th birthday is on Jan. 5, 2025, has more than 60 years of experience on screen. Beginning with his wordless, yet striking performance as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, Duvall has amassed dozens of credits across TV, film and stage, including all-time classic films like The Godfather and M*A*S*H. In total, he has eight Academy Award nominations with one win for Tender Mercies, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, a SAG Award and a BAFTA Award.

As the legendary actor turns 94, look back at his life in photos, from his early days in theater to movie star status and his quiet life in Virginia with wife Luciana Pedraza.

01of 08

Robert Duvall’s Childhood

TWILIGHT ZONE episode "Miniature" , originally aired on CBS on February 21, 1963. Robert Duvall as Charley Parkes. Claire Griswold as the Doll,
Robert Duvall in ‘The Twilight Zone’ in 1962.CBS via Getty

Robert Selden Duvall was born on Jan. 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, to Navy Rear Admiral William Duvall and actress Mildred Duvall (née Hart). He spent most of his childhood in Annapolis, Maryland, and attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, for a bachelor’s degree in drama.

After graduating from college in 1953, he served one year in the U.S. Army. In 1955, he began studying under acting teacher Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City, where he met friends Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.

“I was terrible at everything but acting — I could barely get through school,” Hoffman told PEOPLE in a 1977 interview.

02of 08

Robert Duvall’s Early Career

Robert Duvall as Eric Christian in THE FUGITIVE episode, "Never Wave Goodbye.
Robert Duvall in ‘The Fugitive’ in 1963.CBS via Getty

Duvall began his acting career onstage, performing in plays around New York for much of the ‘50s while working day jobs at Macy’s and the post office.

His first TV role came in 1959 in an episode of the anthology series Armstrong Circle Theater. Throughout the late ‘50s and into the ‘60s, Duvall began making one-episode guest appearances in anthology series like The Twilight Zone, police procedural Naked City and crime drama The Fugitive.

03of 08

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and Film Breakthrough

r Robert Duvall as Arthur 'Boo' Radley in a promotional portrait for 'To Kill a Mockingbird',
Robert Duvall as Boo Radley in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.Silver Screen Collection/Getty

At the recommendation of screenwriter Horton Foote’s wife, he booked his debut film role in the adaptation of the famous Harper Lee novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Duvall played town outcast, Boo Radley, opposite Gregory Peck’s Atticus Finch and Mary Badham’s Scout.

After To Kill a Mockingbird’s critical acclaim, the film roles came rolling in. Duvall landed parts in 1966’s The Chase with Jane Fonda, Marlon Brando and Robert Redford, 1969’s True Grit with John Wayne and 1970’s M*A*S*H with Donald Sutherland, among many others.

04of 08

Robert Duvall Wins an Oscar

Robert Duval wins the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the film Tender Mercies at the 56th Academy Awards.
Robert Duvall wins an Oscar in 1983.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty

The acclaimed film actor racked up several Oscar nominations for 1972’s The Godfather, 1979’s Apocalypse Now and 1981’s The Great Santini, but he didn’t claim the coveted award until the 1983 drama Tender Mercies. His portrayal of Mac Sledge — a former country music star recovering from alcoholism and trying to repair his relationship with his ex-wife and daughter — earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

“I forget that what we’re really here is to single out who we think is the best for that given year, and if that’s what I am to be this year, I appreciate it. I accept it with an honor, and I am very moved because of that,” Duvall said in his speech. He then thanked the Academy and country musicians like friend Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings for accepting and honoring the film.

Duvall later received three more Oscar nominations for The Apostle in 1997, A Civil Action in 1998 and The Judge in 2014.

05of 08

Robert Duvall’s Marriage to Luciana Pedraza

Robert Duvall and Juliana Pedraza.
Robert Duvall and Juliana Pedraza in 1998.Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty

Duvall, who had been married three times, met his current wife Luciana Pedraza in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at a bakery in 1997. According to the actor in a 2011 interview with Esquire, Pedraza approached him to extend a party invitation. He showed up, and the rest was history.

In 2001, the couple founded The Robert Duvall Children’s Fund to assist impoverished children and families in northern Argentina, as well as help women in the country start their own businesses.

They married in 2005 and have appeared together in two films, 2002’s Assassination Tango and 2015’s Wild Horses.

“She said, ‘Oh, what will it be like when we grow old together?’ And I said, ‘I already am old,’“ he joked to Oprah.com in 2015. “We enjoy each other’s company. Love is an important thing, you know. All kinds of love.”

06of 08

Robert Duvall Wins an Emmy

Actor Robert Duvall accepts the Oustanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie award for "Broken Trail" onstage during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.
Robert Duvall wins an Emmy in 2007.Vince Bucci/Getty

Following three previous Emmy nominations for Lonesome DoveStalin and The Man Who Captured Eichmann, Duvall won his first Emmy in 2007 at 75 years old for his performance in Broken Trail.

“Sometimes you can make a very prestigious film, and it’ll only be seen by six people and go directly to DVD. But we did over $30 million for this,” said Duvall, who also won outstanding miniseries as an executive producer for the show.

07of 08

Robert Duvall’s Most Recent Roles

Robert Downey Jr, Robert Duvall The Judge - 2014
Robert Duvall in ‘The Judge’ in 2014.Claire Folger/Warner Bros/Team Downey/Kobal/Shutterstock

He continued acting into the 2010s and 2020s, most notably starring in Billy Bob Thornton’s Jayne Mansfield’s CarJack Reacher with Tom Cruise, The Judge with Robert Downey Jr. and the heist thriller Widows. For his portrayal of Joseph Palmer in The Judge, Duvall earned praise and multiple award nominations, including an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.

Most recently, he starred in two 2022 films, Hustle and The Pale Blue Eye.

Of retirement, Duvall said during a talk at Hollins University in 2022, “There always comes a day where you say, ‘That’s it, no more.’ I haven’t quite come to that, but almost.”

08of 08

Robert Duvall’s Life Today

A Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Robert Duvall during Thursdays June 24, 2021 show.
Robert Duvall on ‘A Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ in 2021.CBS via Getty

Today, the actor lives with his wife of nearly 20 years Pedraza on a farm in Virginia’s Fauquier County.

Duvall joked to PEOPLE (The TV Show!) in 2021 after turning 90, “Love the most [about being 90]? I don’t know if I love any of it, but day to day with my wonderful wife.”

He continued, “She takes care of me, and I have good friends, and try to work out and keep in some kind of shape.”

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