STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Legendary actor Robert Duvall “passed away peacefully” at the age of 95, according to his social media.
His wife Luciana Duvall posted a message on the Academy award-winning actor’s Facebook Monday, writing: “Yesterday [Sunday, Feb. 15] we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time.”
“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,” Luciana said. “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.”
Accompanying the statement is a photo of Luciana and Duvall enjoying the company of two dogs and a horse.
Duvall’s last projects were released in 2022, when he portrayed Jean Pepe in “The Pale Blue Eye” and Rex Merrick in “Hustle.”
Duvall has 145 acting credits to his name on IMDb, including films like “Apocalypse Now,” “The Judge,” and the original “M*A*S*H.”
Duvall’s Staten Island Ties
Duvall’s seven decade-long legacy reached Staten Island in arguably one of his most iconic movies of his repertoire: “The Godfather.”
The Tudor that served as the centerpiece of the Corleone compound in “The Godfather” is pictured here.
Staten Island Advance
Several popular scenes in “The Godfather” epic were shot on Emerson Hill in a sprawling mansion located at 110 Longfellow Drive — the site where the street was closed in order that it appear like a giant front yard.
“The Godfather” house, or the Corleone Mansion, was used for many scenes in the trilogy, including the opening scene of Connie Corleone’s wedding reception.
The home was owned at one time by former Borough President Joseph Palma, who lived there with his wife, Marie, and 11 children.
“The Godfather” filmed on Emerson Hill: From the left, Marlon Brando, Godfather unit production manager Fred Caruso, and Carl and William Gertz look over the film is wedding cake. Staten Island Advance
At the then nearby Sunnyside campus of Staten Island Community College (now the Michael J. Petrides School), a giant staging area was created. Wardrobe and makeup people readied hundreds of extras before they were ferried up the hill to the movie set.
The Godfather’s climactic christening scene, which is intercut with Michael’s bloody elimination of his mob rivals, (all set to Bach’s eerie Passacaglia in C Minor for Organ) was filmed at Mount Loretto in Pleasant Plains.