RIP Robert Duvall, Dead at 95

[the G-man]

Robert Duvall Left No Seams: Robert Duvall didn’t belong to any era of Hollywood. He preceded New Hollywood, thrived in it, and outlasted it. He was a Mafia lawyer, a surfing colonel, a ruthless network executive, a country drunk, a Pentecostal preacher, a Texas Ranger. In none of them could you find the seams. He never gave you a “Duvall performance.” He delivered a character, and then he disappeared.

Exactly this. He was probably America's greatest actor for this reason.

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

I was too young to know who he was, but he had a supporting role in this really stupid movie called Let's Get Harry. Rebels kidnap Americans in Colombia, including Mark Harmon, and his buddies back home want to go rescue him. They get financial help from car salesman Gary Busey and hire mercenary Robert Duvall. And telling you everything you need to know, the director is "Alan Smithee."

In truth, it was an embarrassed Stauart Rosenberg.

Robert Duvall Left No Seams: Robert Duvall didn’t belong to any era of Hollywood. He preceded New Hollywood, thrived in it, and outlasted it. He was a Mafia lawyer, a surfing colonel, a ruthless network executive, a country drunk, a Pentecostal preacher, a Texas Ranger. In none of them could you find the seams. He never gave you a “Duvall performance.” He delivered a character, and then he disappeared.

Exactly this. He was probably America's greatest actor for this reason.

At least we still have.......................................................................God knows.


Well, there's no sugarcoating here. It was unsurprising news yesterday.....and equally devastating.

I want to expound more, but right now my heart's not in it. More to come later, I hope. Two thoughts:

Not even John Wayne could take ''The King.'' Yet somehow, Glen Campbell, of all people, could.* Life is strange indeed.

I would like to recommend not just his key role in THE EAGLE HAS LANDED, but the film as a whole.

RIP, sir.

(*And he mopped the floor with Donald Sutherland, even though he paid a swift price for it.)