Billy Bob Thornton considered the late Robert Duvall a surrogate father and mentor, whose passing at 95 created a significant void. Thornton shared anecdotes about their relationship, highlighting Duvall's dry wit and profound influence on his career.
Duvall's Wit and Early Influence
Thornton recalled Duvall's humor, referencing a visit to Duvall's Virginia farm where Duvall jokingly questioned why he would be happy about Thornton's presence.
Duvall's performance as Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird" particularly struck Thornton, subtly inspiring his character Carl in "Sling Blade."
Collaboration and "A Family Thing"
Thornton and Duvall became close in the 1980s. Duvall specifically requested Thornton and Tom Epperson to write a film where he could portray a Black man, a creative endeavor that resulted in the movie "A Family Thing."
Filming "Sling Blade"
During the production of Thornton's directorial debut "Sling Blade," Duvall agreed to play Carl's father for a single scene, arriving dramatically in a stretch limo.
Thornton recounted a memorable moment when Duvall's driver inadvertently interrupted filming. This prompted Thornton to an uncharacteristic outburst, which he later realized mirrored Duvall's own on-set temperament.
Thornton's uncharacteristic outburst during "Sling Blade" filming, caused by Duvall's driver, mirrored Duvall's own on-set temperament.
"The Apostle" and Recognizing Talent
As a favor, Thornton later appeared in Duvall's film "The Apostle." Thornton noted an interesting observation: Duvall gave more scenes to Thornton's childhood friend Rick Dial, acknowledging Dial's natural acting talent, despite Thornton being the more established actor.
Acting Style and Personal Obsessions
Thornton observed Duvall's deep dedication, not just to acting, but also to tango and barbecue.
He recalled an instance on "The Stars Fell on Henrietta" where Duvall's immersive performance with a dying cat captivated both Thornton and Aidan Quinn, causing them to completely miss their cues. Duvall generally preferred not to discuss the acting process itself, but he enjoyed sharing set gossip and observations about his colleagues.
On-Set Dynamics with Directors
Thornton shared a telling anecdote from "The Judge," where Duvall confronted director David Dobkin for instructing him on how to act a heart attack scene. Duvall's intense reaction, though unsettling for the crew, was typical of his strong personality and notably did not negatively impact his performance.
Robert Duvall once intensely confronted director David Dobkin on set for instructing him on how to act a heart attack, showcasing his strong personality without compromising his performance.
"Jayne Mansfield's Car" and Personal Themes
Thornton directed Duvall in "Jayne Mansfield's Car," a film exploring complex themes of father-son relationships and the psychological effects of war. Thornton noted the film's profound personal significance, as it reflected his own complex relationship with his father.
Unspoken Mentorship
Thornton once wrote Duvall a letter expressing his deep gratitude. Duvall never verbally acknowledged it, but Thornton felt he implicitly recognized its sentiment. Poignantly, Duvall even incorporated the theme of an unacknowledged letter into a scene in "Jayne Mansfield's Car."
Billy Bob Thornton's letter of gratitude to Robert Duvall was never verbally acknowledged, yet Duvall subtly recognized it, even incorporating the theme of an unacknowledged letter into a scene in "Jayne Mansfield's Car."
A Decades-Long Dietary Deception
For over 25 years, Thornton discreetly pretended to enjoy meat around Duvall, who was passionately devoted to steaks and barbecue. Despite dietary restrictions due to health, Thornton maintained the facade to avoid disappointing his mentor.
He sometimes fed his portions to Duvall's dog or ordered salads while feigning anticipation for a steak he hadn't ordered. Duvall remained entirely unaware of this decades-long deception until his death.
Shared Journeys to Stardom
Thornton also reflected on their shared experience of achieving widespread recognition later in their lives, a journey he believed provided them with essential life experience before navigating the complexities of fame.