Robert Duvall, the legendary actor known for his roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Road, has kept a low profile in recent years when it comes to discussing his relationship with his former co-star, Gene Hackman. However, in a rare and highly anticipated interview, Duvall has finally broken his silence about the strained relationship between the two Hollywood giants. And the revelation is far from positive.
For decades, Duvall and Hackman shared the screen in numerous iconic films, most notably in The Godfather series, where they played brothers-in-law, Tom Hagen (Duvall) and Sonny Corleone (Hackman). Their onscreen chemistry made for one of the most memorable duos in cinematic history. But behind the scenes, it seems things were not as amicable as they appeared.
The Fallout:
In the interview, Duvall revealed that their relationship began to sour during the making of The Godfather Part II, with tension growing during filming. According to Duvall, Hackman’s behavior had become increasingly difficult to deal with as their careers evolved. He described Hackman as being “moody” and “difficult,” adding that their differences became more pronounced as they spent more time working together.
While Duvall did not go into specifics about what led to the ultimate fallout, he hinted that professional jealousy and contrasting personalities played a significant role in their estrangement. Hackman’s growing success in the 1970s and 1980s, which included acclaimed performances in The French Connection and Unforgiven, reportedly caused some friction between the two actors.
The Silent Years:
In the years that followed their collaboration in The Godfather, Duvall and Hackman reportedly avoided speaking to each other, and Duvall didn’t mince words in the interview about how he felt. “Gene and I haven’t spoken in decades. I think he has his own issues,” Duvall confessed, adding that he wasn’t surprised by Hackman’s sudden retirement from acting in 2004. Hackman, who had been one of Hollywood’s biggest stars for decades, decided to step away from the limelight, leaving many of his fans wondering if the end of his career was the result of personal conflicts or simply a natural choice.
A Shocking Admission:
Perhaps the most shocking revelation was Duvall’s admission that he felt "betrayed" by Hackman’s actions. “We were close once, but I don’t know what happened. I guess I wasn’t the friend he thought I was, and I certainly wasn’t the one he wanted to be around,” Duvall said, visibly emotional. “It’s not just me – it’s a lot of people in the industry who feel the same way.”
While Duvall acknowledged Hackman’s immense talent and contributions to film, he expressed disappointment over how the friendship ultimately unraveled. “It’s a shame, really,” he said. “You think you know someone, and then you realize you didn’t know them at all.”
What’s Next?
Although Duvall has publicly stated that he has moved on from the fallout, there is still speculation about whether Hackman will ever address the matter. Fans of both actors are eagerly awaiting a response from Hackman, who has stayed out of the public eye for years.
In the meantime, Duvall continues to work in Hollywood, though he admitted that his relationships with some of his former colleagues have been affected by his fallout with Hackman. “I’ve had to rebuild trust with people I’ve worked with over the years,” he shared. “But at the end of the day, you move forward, and you keep doing what you love.”