'Funny as hell. Strong as hell': Adam Sandler pays heartfelt tribute to Robert Duvall

The world of cinema is mourning the loss of Robert Duvall, who died peacefully at his home in Virginia at the age of 95. "Yesterday, we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home," Duvall's wife, Lucienne, wrote in a post on Monday, February 16. Mourning the loss of the acting legend, Adam Sandler called Duvall "one of the greatest actors we've ever had."

"Funny as hell. Strong as hell. One of the greatest actors we ever had. Such a great man to talk to and laugh with. Loved him so much. We all did," Sandler wrote in a social media post, sharing images of the late actor in his iconic roles, including the 2022 Netflix sports drama 'Hustle'. In the movie, Duvall's character, Rex Merrick, served as a mentor and "moral anchor" to Sandler's Stanley Sugerman, a dynamic that reportedly mirrored their off-screen relationship. 

"So many movies to choose from that were legendary. Watch them when you can. Sending his wife Luciana and all his family and friends our condolences," Sandler added in his post. In 'Hustle', despite dying early in the movie, critics have stated that Duvall's "well-wisher" character was the catalyst for Sandler's best dramatic work since 'Uncut Gems'. Several other celebrities have also joined Sandler in paying tribute to the legendary actor. 

"It was an honor to have worked with Robert Duvall," Duvall's 'The Godfather' co-star Al Pacino said, as per a Variety report. "He was a born actor as they say, his connection with it, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will always be remembered. I will miss him." "God bless Bobby," Robert De Niro wrote. "I hope I can live till I'm 95. May he rest in peace." Author Stephen King also paid his tributes, writing, ""I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" RIP Robert Duvall," in reference to Duvall's iconic character, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, from 'Apocalypse Now'.

Duvall's seven-decade career included six Oscar nominations and a win for Best Actor in 1983's 'Tender Mercies'. Duvall, who shot to fame as Tom Hagen, the Corleone family lawyer and consigliere in 'The Godfather', started his acting career as Arthur "Boo" Radley, who ends up saving the lives of the children of Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), Jem (Phillip Alford) and Scout (Mary Badham) in the 1962 classing, 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. His other Oscar nominations came from his roles in 'The Judge', 'The Godfather', 'Apocalypse Now', 'The Great Santini', 'The Apostle', and 'A Civil Action'.