Robert Selden Duvall was born on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California. He grew up in a military family, with his father, William Howard Duvall, being a career military officer who later became an admiral. His mother, Mildred Virginia (Hart), was an amateur actress, which perhaps influenced his early interest in acting.

Duvall attended Principia College in Illinois, where he majored in drama. After graduating in 1953, he served a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, he moved to New York City and studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre under the renowned teacher Sanford Meisner. During this time, he shared an apartment with fellow aspiring actors Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.

Duvall's career began on stage and television in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He made his film debut in 1962, playing the reclusive Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird." This role marked the beginning of a prolific film career. Over the decades, Duvall has appeared in numerous iconic films, including "The Godfather" (1972) and its sequel, "Apocalypse Now" (1979), "The Great Santini" (1979), and "Tender Mercies" (1983), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Throughout his career, Duvall has been recognized with numerous awards, including four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also directed and produced several films, showcasing his versatility in the industry.

In addition to his film work, Duvall has had a significant presence on television, earning acclaim for his roles in miniseries such as "Lonesome Dove" (1989) and "Broken Trail" (2006).

Duvall's contributions to the arts have been widely recognized, and he continues to be celebrated as one of the most talented and respected actors of his generation.