Robert Duvall is one of the most acclaimed and versatile actors of all time, with a career spanning eight decades and numerous awards, including an Oscar, four Golden Globes, a BAFTA, two Emmys, and a SAG Award. He is known for his iconic roles in films such as The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Tender Mercies, The Apostle, and The Judge. But did you know that he has a cousin who is also an actor? His name is Stephen Duvall, and he has appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Righteous Gemstones, and Ozark. But how are they related, and what is their family history? Here are some facts you may not know about the Duvall cousins.
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The Duvall Family Tree
According to Geneastar, Robert Duvall was born in San Diego, California, on January 5, 1931, to Mildred Virginia (née Hart), an amateur actress and relative of American Civil War General Robert E. Lee, and William Howard Duvall, a Virginia-born U.S. Navy admiral. He has two brothers, William Jr. and John (1934-2000), who was an entertainment lawyer.
Stephen Duvall was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, to Robert Andrew Duvall (1926-1971) and Mary Alida Carlson (1925-1997). He is a second cousin of Robert Duvall, meaning that they share the same great-grandparents. Their common ancestors are Abraham Lincoln Duvall (1861-1928) and Laura Virginia Rhine (1867-1951), who were Robert’s grandparents and Stephen’s great-grandparents.
The Duvall family traces its roots to Mareen Duvall, a French Huguenot who settled in Maryland in the 17th century. He was a wealthy landowner and the progenitor of many prominent Americans, such as Harry S. Truman, Barack Obama, Dick Cheney, Warren Buffett, and Tom Clancy.
The Acting Career of Stephen Duvall
Stephen Duvall started his acting career in the late 1980s with small roles in films such as Mississippi Burning, Glory, and JFK. He also appeared in several TV shows, such as Matlock, In the Heat of the Night, and Law & Order. He gained more recognition in the 2000s with roles in films such as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country for Old Men, Lincoln, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. He also had recurring roles in TV shows such as Prison Break, Ozark, The Righteous Gemstones, and The Outsider.
Stephen Duvall has worked with his cousin Robert Duvall on several occasions. They appeared together in films such as The Stars Fell on Henrietta (1995), A Family Thing (1996), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), and Lucky You (2007). They also co-starred in the TV miniseries Broken Trail (2006), for which Robert won two Emmys.
The Relationship Between Robert and Stephen Duvall
Robert and Stephen Duvall have a close and supportive relationship as cousins and colleagues. They have praised each other’s work and expressed their admiration for each other in interviews. For example, in a 2006 interview with Parade Magazine, Robert said that Stephen was “a very good actor” and that he was “proud of him”. He also said that they had “a lot of fun” working together on Broken Trail.
In a 2019 interview with Collider, Stephen said that Robert was “a great guy” and “a legend”. He also said that he learned a lot from him as an actor and that he was “very generous” with his advice. He said that Robert told him to “always be prepared” and to “trust your instincts”.
Robert and Stephen Duvall are not only related by blood but also by their passion for acting. They have both proven their talent and versatility in various genres and mediums. They have also shared the screen several times and shown their chemistry and respect for each other. They are truly a remarkable pair of Hollywood cousins.
