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  • Robert Duvall, Longtime Virginia Resident, Dies at 95
Robert Duvall
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Robert Duvall, Longtime Virginia Resident, Dies at 95

The Oscar-winning actor was a fixture in Virginia’s horse country.

By Amy Ayres February 16, 2026 at 1:53 pm

Actor Robert Duvall, known for his work in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, died “peacefully” at his home in Middleburg on Sunday at age 95. The announcement was made by his wife, Luciana Pedraza Duvall, in a statement on social media.

The legendary actor lived for decades in Virginia’s horse country and was once a partner in the restaurant The Rail Stop Restaurant in The Plains. He was known to host political fundraising events, including one for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012.

He made headlines in 2023 when he testified against plans for an Amazon data center, but the Warrenton Town Council voted in favor of the plan.

A Storied Career

Duvall was born January 5, 1931, in San Diego. He grew up in Navy towns, including Annapolis, Maryland.

The actor played the Corleone family consigliere The Godfather in 1972, and earned the first of his seven Oscar nominations. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role country singer Mac Sledge in the 1983 film Tender Mercies.

He was married four times but did not have any children of his own. He married Luciana, an Argentinian actress-director, in 2005.

“For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all. Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind,” Luciana’s statement read.

Feature image, Bang Media International/Alamy Stock

Amy Ayres

Amy Ayres

Editor

Amy Ayres has been the Editor of Northern Virginia Magazine since 2022. She has previously worked for USA Today’s magazine group, AOL News, and ABCNews.com. Originally from outside of Boston, she moved to NoVA in 2000. She lives in Reston.

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