Many people wonder if the two American actors who share the same surname, Shelley Duvall and Robert Duvall, are related. They have both appeared in some of the most iconic films of the 20th century, such as The Shining, Popeye, Apocalypse Now, and The Godfather. But are they really family? The answer might surprise you.
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The Short Answer: No
Shelley Duvall and Robert Duvall are not related, despite having the same surname and being American actors. According to The Little Facts, they have no blood or marital connection whatsoever. They just happen to have a common last name that is of French origin.
The Long Answer: A Coincidence of Names and Careers
Shelley Duvall was born in 1949 in Fort Worth, Texas, to Bobbie Ruth Crawford, a real estate broker, and Robert Richardson “Bobby” Duvall, a cattle auctioneer-turned-lawyer. According to Wikipedia, she is not to be confused with actor Robert Duvall, to whom she is not closely related.
Robert Duvall was born in 1931 in San Diego, California, to Mildred Virginia Hart, an amateur actress and relative of American Civil War general Robert E. Lee, and William Howard Duvall, a naval officer who later became an admiral. According to Wikipedia, he is a descendant of Mareen Duvall, a French Huguenot who settled in Maryland in the 17th century.
Shelley Duvall began acting after being discovered by director Robert Altman, who cast her in his film Brewster McCloud in 1970. She went on to work with him in several other films, such as McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Nashville, and 3 Women. She also starred in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits, and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. She later became a producer of children’s television programs, such as Faerie Tale Theatre and Tall Tales & Legends.
Robert Duvall started his career on stage and television in the 1950s and 1960s. He made his film debut in To Kill a Mockingbird in 1962. He rose to fame with his roles in The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, Tender Mercies, Lonesome Dove, and The Apostle. He has won an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, two Emmy Awards, and four BAFTA Awards.
Shelley Duvall and Robert Duvall have worked together on several occasions. They both appeared in Altman’s Nashville in 1975 and in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now in 1979. They also co-starred in the comedy film Second-Hand Hearts in 1981.
The Conclusion: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Shelley Duvall and Robert Duvall are two talented actors who have made their mark on Hollywood history. However, they are not related by blood or marriage. They just share a common surname that has caused some confusion among fans and media. They are both unique individuals who have their own stories and achievements..
