02/16/2026
Many will remember Robert Duvall for his stellar depiction of Augustus McCrae in Simon Wincer’s adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove”—who Duvall compared to Shakespeare.
While I always appreciated and studied Lonesome Dove, I tend to recount Duvall in Secondhand Lions. I grew up yearning to hear the storytelling of my great uncles who have experienced the world ten times over, yet still settle on the simple life. To never forget that if I’m breathing, there is life to be lived. Most importantly:
“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love… true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.”
Thank you, Robert, for carrying the torch in film and theatre, reminding masculine leads how to embody the country and western lifestyle. Remaining stoic and stubborn while presenting some of the most gentle and heartfelt moments.
Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
