Robert Duvall, Known for 'The Godfather' and 'Apocalypse Now,' Passes Away — Details

One of Hollywood’s most commanding yet understated actors has taken his final bow. Robert Duvall's death marks the end of an era — and his parting request is as moving as any role he played.

Robert Selden Duvall, the Academy Award-winning actor celebrated for his performances in "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," died on February 15, 2026, at age 95.

While audiences knew him for his commanding screen presence, those closest to him described a far more personal side. In a deeply personal message, his wife offered a glimpse into the man the public rarely saw.

In a statement shared on Facebook, Luciana Duvall wrote, "Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time."

She said he passed away surrounded by love and comfort and described him simply as "everything."

According to NBC News, Duvall did not want a formal service.

Instead, his family said he wished to be honored by "watching a great film, telling a good story around a table with friends, or taking a drive in the countryside to appreciate the world's beauty."

His final request echoed the quiet, personal life he maintained outside of Hollywood.

Duvall's death follows the passing of his "The Godfather" co-star Diane Keaton, who died at 79 in 2025.

Keaton's death drew significant public attention, with many reflecting on her career and the statements released by her family.

One stunned netizen wrote, "What!! Omg what a horrible thing! I wasn't expecting that. So sad." Another asked, "Was it not skin cancer?" A third added, "That's so fixable. Sad 😢."

A different commenter reacted, "I don't believe it," while another remarked, "Wow no way!" A separate commenter said, "Hmmm 🤔 that's suspicious."

One individual stated, "pneumonia." Another shared a personal reflection, "pneumonia Something [sic] can be so fatal. I almost passed away from it last year. It's not as fixable as one would think!"

Amid a wave of emotional reactions online, the family shared a statement with People, published on October 15, 2025:

"The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11."

But even in death, Keaton's compassion lives on. Her family encouraged the public to honor her legacy through acts of kindness:

"She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her."

While her family confirmed pneumonia as the cause of death, those close to Keaton say her health had been steadily deteriorating in the months leading up to her passing.

In a gut-wrenching new revelation shared with the same publication, longtime friend and Oscar-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager has laid bare the haunting details of her final visit with the late star. The visit occurred just weeks before Keaton's tragic demise.

A Jarring Appearance That Left Carole Bayer Sager Reeling

The songwriter's last encounter with Keaton left an indelible mark. "I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin," Sager told the outlet. "She had lost so much weight." The sudden transformation shocked her.

Sager described her dear friend's noticeably frail appearance with genuine sorrow and disbelief. The beloved actress had been spending time in Palm Springs earlier this year, a temporary relocation brought on by the January wildfires.

"She had to go to Palm Springs because her house had been damaged inside, and they had to clean everything," revealed Sager, who noted that she had seen her close friend less this year because of the fires.

The songwriter continued, "She was down there for a while, and when she came back, I was kind of stunned by how much weight she'd lost," her words echoing the concern of someone witnessing a silent struggle.

Still a Light in the Darkness

Despite the visible signs of her declining health, Keaton remained, in Sager's eyes, a creative force — vibrant, curious, and bursting with light. "She was a magic light for everyone," Sager recalled warmly. "I just loved her. She was so special, she just lit up a room with her energy."

Whether snapping photos of the world around her or immersing herself in artistic projects, Diane Keaton never allowed illness to dim her innate spark.

"She was happy and upbeat and taking photographs of everything she saw. She was completely creative; she never stopped creating," Sager divulged.

That creative passion was perhaps best captured in their musical collaboration, "First Christmas," released in November 2024. Co-written with Jonas Myrin, the track marked Keaton's only solo single — a project Sager remembers fondly. "She so loved recording this song," Sager said. "She was almost childlike about it." The experience wasn't just about making music — it was an emotional outlet.

"She was so authentic when she sang it [...] she was sort of acting it, you know, because she is a great actress. And then she'd start to cry when she was singing it. But she did such a beautiful job," added Keaton's musical gal pal.

An Icon Through and Through

Sager also cherished Keaton's iconic fashion sense — a playful blend of whimsy and sophistication that never went unnoticed.

"She went to the movies always dressed like she was about to shoot another scene for 'Annie Hall,'" Sager shared. "She'd wear her hats and her jackets and her baggy pants, and her belts. She was a fashion icon of her own making."

The talented lyricist also spoke about how she, Keaton, and fellow A-lister Bette Midler, who shared her pain and sorrow over the sad news via her own tribute, were all a part of a weekly "movie group."

While Sager's emotional account offers a glimpse into Keaton's final chapter, the actress's battle with health issues began long before her recent decline and demise, tracing back to as early as when she was in her 20s.

A Quiet Decline No One Expected

Sources close to the "Book Club" star say the beloved actress "declined very suddenly," leaving her inner circle "heartbroken" and in disbelief. A longtime friend revealed, "It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit."

As the end drew near, Keaton's world grew smaller. The insider added, "In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening." Those words echo the quiet dignity with which she always faced life's hardest moments.