‘The Commonwealth has truly lost a great one’: Virginia House of Delegates honors actor Robert Duvall
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia House of Delegates honored actor and director Robert Duvall on Monday, a day after his death, recognizing his long-standing career and philanthropy.
The House of Delegates of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia adjourned in honor of Robert "Bobby" Duvall at the request of Del. William D. "Bill" Wiley (R-31) the afternoon of on Monday, Feb. 16, on George Washington's official birthday holiday.
"The Commonwealth has truly lost a great one," Wiley, who represents the 32nd District, which includes the city of Winchester and part of Frederick County.
Wiley announced his death and praised Duvall's life, whose career has spanned seven decades and included major projects like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Tender Mercies, ” “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now, ” “Days of Thunder,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” “Sling Blade,” Four Christmases" and more.
MORE: Actor Robert Duvall dies at 95, wife announces
Wiley recalled how many delegates unanimously supported House Joint 467 in the 2023 General Assembly. There, they spoke of Duvall's philanthropic accomplishments.
Del. Michael Weber (R-61), Wiley and Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert presented Duvall with the resolution at his farm.
"Mr. Speaker, I think that we could agree that he was the best actor to ever reside in Virginia," Wiley said on Monday. "My late father, Jim and Bobby were good friends and our family has enjoyed spending time at his farm, fishing with him and his wife, Luciana, where we were always on pins and needles, waiting for him to tell us about some of his past movie roles and speaking of other fellow actors."
"As Bobby once said, 'I always figured -- from the cradle to the grave, we all have our individual journeys, and maybe my journey journey was a positive one, and I accomplished certain things without stepping on too many toes,’" he added.
Duvall died “peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort” on Sunday, Feb. 15, per a statement from his wife of 20 years, Luciana, and an announcement from his publicist. He was 95.
