Fresh Air Remembering actor Robert Duvall & filmmaker Frederick Wiseman
22 snips
Feb 20, 2026 
Robert Duvall, veteran actor known for The Godfather and Tender Mercies, reflects on iconic roles, on-set stories, and his immersive approach to performance. Frederick Wiseman, pioneering documentary filmmaker behind Titicut Follies and High School, discusses choosing institutions as subjects, his long-form observational style, and why he avoids narration. Short, candid conversations about craft, memory, and storytelling.
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How Kilgore Came To Life
- Duvall described getting the Kilgore part in Apocalypse Now even though it was written for a bigger man and enjoying the iconic line about napalm.
- He recalled long shoots in the Philippines and stories from co-workers about production delays and improvisations.
A Crushing Early Review
- Duvall remembered an early brutal review that compared him to Liberace and called his performance 'moronic,' which sickened him.
- He used the setback as part of his learning and kept returning to work on stage and screen.
Acting Is Turning Yourself, Not Losing You
- Duvall argued actors never fully become other people; they turn aspects of themselves toward a role like adults playing house.
- He emphasized retaining your own psyche and using it to shape a character, not losing yourself.
