Robert Duvall's Favorite Character Role (Lonesome Dove)

#robertduvall #roberduvallinterview #lonesomedove
During his interview on Charlie Rose, Robert Duvall tells of his favorite role and character of Augustus "Gus" McCrae in the great miniseries, Lonesome Dove. From this portrayal of the tough, yet compassionate ex-captain of the Texas Rangers, Gus is a figure who remains firmly entrenched in American cinema and cowboy movies.
#augustusmccrae #gusmccrae #charlierose #charlieroseinterview
Robert Duvall (b. 1931) is an American actor and filmmaker. His career spans more than seven decades and he is considered one of the greatest American actors of all time. He is the recipient of an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Duvall started his career on stage before transitioning to film and television.
Duvall made his Broadway debut in the play Wait Until Dark in 1966. He returned to the stage in David Mamet's play American Buffalo in 1977 earning a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play nomination. He made his feature film acting debut portraying Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). Other early roles include in Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), Bullitt (1968), True Grit (1969), M*A*S*H (1970), THX 1138 (1971), Joe Kidd (1972), and Tomorrow (1972), the latter of which was developed at The Actors Studio and is his personal favorite.
Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Tender Mercies (1983). His other Oscar-nominated films include The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), The Great Santini (1979), The Apostle (1997), A Civil Action (1998), and The Judge (2014). Other notable roles include The Outfit (1973), The Godfather Part II (1974), The Conversation (1974), Network (1976), True Confessions (1981), The Natural (1984), Days of Thunder (1990), The Handmaid's Tale (1990), Rambling Rose (1991), Falling Down (1993), The Paper (1994), The Scarlet Letter (1995), The Apostle (1997), Open Range (2003), Crazy Heart (2009), Get Low (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), and Widows (2018).
Throughout his career, he has starred in numerous television programs. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for the AMC limited series Broken Trail (2007) His other Emmy-nominated roles were in the CBS miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989), the HBO film Stalin (1992), and the TNT film The Man Who Captured Eichmann (1996). #robertduvallcharlierose
Lonesome Dove is a 1985 Western novel by American writer Larry McMurtry. It is the first published book of the Lonesome Dove series, but the third installment in the series chronologically.
The story revolves around the relationships between several retired Texas Rangers and their adventures driving a cattle herd from Texas to Montana. Set in the closing years of the Old West, the novel explores themes of old age, death, unrequited love, and friendship.
The novel was a bestseller and won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. In 1989, it was adapted as a TV miniseries starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, which won both critical and popular acclaim. (Wikipedia)
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[@buccos2004]

Best Western ever made, and Im aware that is a bold statement.

[@jasonward7017]

Agreed. I’ve probably seen it over 100 times, and doubt I’ll ever get tired of watching it.

[@4thlinemaniac356]

Yep and it was much better than the books. Especially the terrible sequel Pea Eye and Lorrie my ass Pffffttt.

[@vette73]

I don’t think it’s bold. I was born in 88 and my grandfather loved lonesome dove (and The Sackettes). I love top gun, tombstone and the lot, but lonesome dove is still the best. I even loved open range- but not as much

[@vette73]

@@4thlinemaniac356 sequel was unacceptable!! Terrible I agree

[@oletimer5853]

Lonesome Dove has had such a huge impact on my life …. Every emotion, my work ethic, my personality .. all processed through the Moral code of this great western adventure

[@theguyinmaine]

The two couldn't have been a better pair. The complete difference in the two made the friendship and the movie. Both were excellent in this movie.

[@scotthartman8604]

Agreed!!

[@jamesbernsen3516]

And the initial casting had them switched. Duvall was supposed to play Woodrow and Tommy Lee Jones was supposed to play Gus. But after Robert Duvall read the full script, he argued to switch them. It wasn't just hoping to hog the better role, he recognized (and I think Jones did too) that their personalities were better suited the other way around and they successfully got the change.

[@spencerhensley5495]

I’m happy Duvall himself recognizes what a great gem this series was. I loved his character of Augustus Mccrae so much that when my wife got me a cat for my birthday I named him McCrae in honor of Duvall’s character my favorite cowboy ever.

[@TalkShowKelly]

My last dog was named Woodrow, and I think I’ll call the next one McCrae.

[@likeadog7752]

Named my dog Gus for the same reason. Love the character so much I wish that was my name.

[@Olliecanary]

@@likeadog7752 Same, named my last dog Gus.

[@jenniferlenfestey5335]

My friend tattooed Gus’s portrait on her arm after seeing LD.

[@fliellerenterprises1198]

Larry McMurtry's finest work, and Robert Duvall's best performance. Lonesome Dove is, to this day, my favorite film about the American west.

[@rah7868]

75 year old Texan. Lonesome Dove has been my all time favorite since the first time I saw the original mini series. Nothing has come close. Gus told Woodrow, "It ain't dying I'm talkin about,,,it's livin". Because it's Duvall, do like Broken Trail.

[@dasx2gra]

open range had that same feeling for me!@@rah7868

[@kevinwilkes1963]

I read the book before the miniseries came out, and I didn’t believe it would be nearly as good as the book. It was amazing and I’ve rewatched it several times.

[@rah7868]

@@kevinwilkes1963 I also read the book and didn't count but over the years have watched Lonesome Dove maybe 50 time or more. Almost know the script. 🙂

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

Agreed, Larry wrote a masterpiece.

[@sboy1955]

Duvall was born for this part - it was his destiny. I have 3 sons and we watched this series almost every year as they grew up - as grown men they still love it, it’s a classic.

[@jimreed8852]

I can’t say enough good things about this movie and the role played by Mr. Duvall. Simply spectacular.

[@horsepowerhorsepower3861]

My Best of all Movies..

[@roddyboethius1722]

Played a great Klansman

[@roddyboethius1722]

2 Confederates acting as stupid as they can

[@carolecarr5210]

I loved that series & especially that scene. Note the way Call saw it coming & turned around to watch his back. PHENOMINAL writing & acting.

[@tgwoolshire]

Call was just looking to see who all were going to get fd up

[@roywilkowski2326]

I think Call knew what was coming and just didn't want to get any of the mess Gus was about to create on his nice frock jacket.

[@kenbrown7477]

No two actors could have pulled off these two roles as well as Duvall and Jones. They made the characters come to life and connected two old Texas Rangers to the imaginations of many wanna-be cowboys. Oh, to have true friends that have the traits and perspective of these two gentlemen from the formative days of our great state of Texas.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Here here !

[@DoyleHargraves]

There's Gus & Woodrow, and then there is Willie & Waylon.... God... as a Louisianian, I always wanted to say "I'm from Texas."

[@averagejoe9040]

​@@DoyleHargraves now that you meantion it. Willie and waylon had the exact same dynamic.

[@DoyleHargraves]

@@averagejoe9040 "willie the wandering gypsy and me" is proof. Lol

[@michaelmancini5773]

Duvall is an artisan, he's played many great rolls, I agree with him , Augustus McCrae was the perfect character , played by the perfect actor, no one could have done it better.

[@brunopadovani7347]

I absolutely LOVED Lonesome Dove. The book, the movie, and the acting by Duvall & Jones.

[@KevinsKontentKorner]

Just re-read the book for the first time in ten years. It’s incredible how Larry McMurtry wrote such lifelike characters. That’s the key because every few paragraphs for pages it switches POV to another character whilst the plot moves forward simultaneously. Such an exceptionally good book. I’m debating on going straight on to streets of Laredo

[@esmeraldaslifefandango7594]

Best western ever with my favorite actor, Robert Duvall. He and Tommy Lee Jones were perfect for their parts. Everyone turned in a fine performance of this wonderful adaptation of the book.

[@garydixon6947]

"Gus" was Robert Duvall's defining character and his best role!

[@patricialefler8481]

Every role this man is in is remarkable. He is one of the best actors of my life time!

[@CAB75]

This move came out when I was 14 years old. I couldn’t get enough of it. Thank god for VHS. I watch it 4 or 5 times a year sometimes more. If I could ever relive a movie it would be this one❤

[@investorswantedchannel8059]

It IS one of the greatest written characters and directed performances in Earth history. I have watched it 25 times. Almost perfect!!!

[@eileenwhite5792]

Gus McRae is Robert Duvall. Truly an incredible gift to we viewers.

[@joseywales7525]

I have watched the series over and over. Timeless Classic

[@arribaficationwineho32]

The best casting EVER! Those 2 were those characters.

[@claygreen4723]

Knew a guy that did some prop work for the series. He said that Robert Duvall was the nicest guy you could ever meet.

[@docstock4250]

One of if not THE Greatest mini-series with one of the best actors of all time! 💯💥

[@chrisablott946]

There will never be another Gus👍

[@davidriggs1470]

Tommy’s body language,when he can see what’s coming is wonderful

[@bobbarclay316]

The scene where Gus is being pursued across the Llano by Comanche outlaws, pulls up in a ditch and drops his horse is one of the best scenes ever put in a western. But then Duvall has many scenes in Lonesome Dove that might qualify.

[@walterrussell6584]

My favorite is when Call beat the tar out of that Union officer.

[@deliawright8626]

Same beauty of a horse that broke in two with the real bucking scene with Gus. I have this movie on old VHS and DVD. Laugh and cry Everytime I watch it.

[@roywilkowski2326]

@@walterrussell6584 Scout

[@sirgalahad3574]

Best book that I have read, and the series was so true to form. I have never seen a better portrayal of a book in film as Lonesome Dove.

[@dalejernberg3550]

My thoughts exactly

[@tommyboyindy1157]

Almost all the dialogue in the movie came straight out of the book. That book captured the voice of the American west.

[@camwinston5248]

100% concur with this statement.

[@averagejoe9040]

I saw the series before ever reading the book, I was extremely suprised eith how close the book was to the series.

[@roywilkowski2326]

Silence Of The Lambs did well by the book, too; right down to the clicking sound of a Colt Python being cocked.

[@walterrussell6584]

Im 47 and Lonesome Dove will always be the greatest Western series of all time and theres not a close 2nd.

[@karenkretschmer7374]

Mr Duvall, I deeply enjoyed your kindness to speak with me. You are a treasure of the theater. Thank you for talent you've shared and the joy you've brought to so many of us.

[@deplorablecovfefe9489]

Movie made me start to think about where I was the happiest. It was a lake cottage in Mich. in the 60s/70s where I spent all my weekends.. I drove out to see it one more time, It's all gone, all newly overbuilt and crowded and no longer anything that it was 50 years ago and unrecognizable. It just doesn't exist anymore...it was not only the place, but its place in time....

[@sombra6153]

I had read once that McMurtry had envisioned John Wayne and Henry Fonda in the two main roles. Big shoes to fill. Robert Duvall as well as the entire cast exhibited the greatest of acting skills. August is an icon.

[@jrod7573]

Of All the great westerns I’ve watched and loved this is the Best. They should make this a required viewing to young men in the 6th-7th grade. If our young men emulated Gus and Call the troubles we face in modern times would dissipate. Great story, Great characters, Great actors. Makes one long for a different time, age.

[@12babyapes59]

Duvall was also great in The apostle, excellent actor.

[@thegigglingangel5709]

Robert Duvall is one of the best actors, love most of his roles.

[@llchrista]

Best movie Ever made! First watched it over 30 years ago and still watch it at least twice a year! It was and is still the best movie ever made

[@lonesomebayou]

Robert was just as great in Broken Trail. Love that movie too.

[@ryanh9183]

Damn right. It's a shame it sorta fell through the cracks or something.

[@dannydobbs669]

Never be another one this awesome I still watch it all the time ✌🏻from Ga.

[@fatpugg3507]

It really bothers me, that when they list best westerns, they leave off Lonesome Dove, first watched it in high school, haven't missed a year yet without watching,Its a story of friendship, loyalty, love and courage,

[@bjbarlow]

My only complaint with Lonesome Dove is that there wasn't more of it. It's one of the greatest ever made.

[@averagejoe9040]

True, but we got a solid 6 hours out of it. How many western stories get 6 hours of screen time?

[@salvatoredioguardi3132]

Lonesome Dove was quite special!

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Ah God Woodrow it ain't dying im talking about its living,Duvall lived it...A True Epic.

[@vanessalittle-sellers7981]

LONESOME DOVE IS MY FAVORITE OF ALL TIME!! THERE CANNOT BE ANOTHER…NOT AS GREAT!! I CAN WATCH IT OVER AND OVER!!

[@xtctrader1467]

My all time favorite movie....PERIOD!!

[@fdf22453]

Having lived in south texas during my formative years, while there, I saw The Godfather for the first time. Then, years later, while back in New England, I fell in love with Lonesome Dove. Even now, many years later, after seeing him in many memorable movie roles, I continue to see Robert Duvall as an underrated actor.

[@deliawright8626]

How much more rated could he be?

[@joetallon4968]

I’ve seen it at least 30 times and could watch it again!

[@misterskins]

I would agree with Sir Robert - Gus McCrae is a once in generations character, as Robert Duvall is such a once in generations actor. He has always been my favorite by a long shot.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

A great deal of my life has been inspired by Augustus McCrea. Not only was he a great man, He was a great Scot.

[@MantisFootball]

Wasn't it Woodrow who was born in Scotland?

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

@@MantisFootball very well could be.

[@sca8217]

​@@MantisFootballtrue. And he was still draggin' by his Mama's titty when they come in on the boat.

[@jogman262]

One of the greatest ever. Robert Duvall.

[@piewhackit2me]

Still bawl my eyes out every time!

[@davidclinton7088]

What can you say? This movie is art at its finest.

[@travisreno6691]

Augustus is the greatest Western character of all time. Arguably the greatest character in American History. He wasn't perfect as a man, but was the perfect example of the the good and bad in a man. He stood for his convictions, loved life, a loyal friend, but also showed us the moral struggles one goes through. He wasn't this good guy in the white hat, he showed the gray in life. Duval performance is unequaled. Other actors have tried to portray Augustus in other movies, and haven't come close to what Duval accomplished.

[@benridge6570]

Sweet memories there haunting. Lonesome Dove the way it should have been.

[@randolphstephenson]

From Boo Radley to Augustus McCrae.Marvelous career.

[@theylied1776]

I have sat and watched this miniseries at least 11 times. And I don't think I've ever seen a better written character than Augustus McCrae.

[@QualeQualeson]

One of my all time favourite actors, along with Streep, Day Lewis and others. Fantastic screen presence and swagger. LD was a wonderful series.

[@jimmyrants4342]

Robert Duvall was great in this movie. It's my personal favorite. Toss in Godfather II as well. What a talent. "If a man ain't willin' to cheat at cards, then he don't deserve a poke". lol. Something like that.

[@muriloninja]

That dying scene alone is hands down so realistic...but one needs to watch the entire series up to that point to understand the impact of Gus' dying scene. Woodrow is the "boss" and everyone knows that and will do whatever he says. Gus? He is Woodrow's peer in that he is just as hard as Woodrow when it comes to taking care of business, the major difference is once business is over or down, Gus will enjoy himself while Woodrow keeps a very morose sensibility. Woodrow even dares to bark an order at Gus and gets checked immediately "You don't boss me Woodrow, I'm the one man you don't boss"...those words alone coupled with us getting to see Woodrow's response to them (a complete back down, respect and loyalty to Gus) are so powerful because "we" know Woodrow and no man would dare say or think such a thing but Gus? He was right, he is the one man Woodrow cannot boss or "top". Love, respect! Incredible characters that were yes flawed but so human! I get teary eyed even writing that, "eye god" what an incredible "party" it was.

[@tonyjones9715]

If a man Won't Cheat for a poke he don't want one very bad .😊

[@slammajamma5435]

It is my favourite film of all-time and it has been since I first saw it aired. I’m so glad the money changer’s didn’t ruin it.

[@BeauKooJack1]

I want "Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago" on my tombstone.

[@DoyleHargraves]

Best actor, best character, wonderful book, and greatest western of all time.

[@connieholderness6072]

What an awesome movie Lonesome Dove was, it depicted friendship thru life . I’m so blessed to have a friendships those two.

[@millerforester6237]

I know what you mean. I just lost a friend of 80 years.

[@Alex-rr2zu]

Read the book, then watched and re-watched the series. Think it stands alone as the best Western ever made. Read the other novels in the trilogy,but not up to this masterpiece. I still say, on occasion, I won’t tolerate rude behavior!

[@jrhawk574]

Well, it had to take an actor like you sir, to bring Gus and so many other great characters to life. Thank you for sharing your talent with us ......Mr. Duvall .

[@drew5337]

I started watching Lonesome Dove when I was 8 and it aired on TV. I haven't stopped. Unfortunately for the remaining prequels and their television adaptations, there simply weren't, and aren't, any young actors that could hold a candle to the performance Duvall gave as Gus.

[@Vikingwerk]

I’d say that of all the prequels, Comanche Moon did the best, Steve Zahn and Karl Urban put on stelar performances, and you could tell they had watched Robert Duval and Tommy Lee Jones hundreds of times to get the characters down. It was not actors playing their own versions if Gus and Woodrow, it was actors playing Duval and Jones playing Gus and Woodrow. It somehow felt better than the other prequels and sequels, if only because it held homage to the masterpiece that started it.

[@65MK]

That’s one of the greatest scenes ever. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@mrwhite2628]

Ole Guss was one of the best characters ever played. Can't imagine anyone else ever doing it.

[@Daddy53751]

I’ve always loved that in the saloon scene, Call gets a tiny hint of a smile, and just moves a bit off to the side. He already knows exactly what’s coming!😂

[@jameshall8455]

Two great actors and PERFECTION

[@m118lr]

NOT even a competition, puts everything else to shame! LOVE it man! WHEN life was REAL..and you didn’t play “games”..

[@StevenPine-s8t]

Absolutely my favorite character played by a fantastic actor!!! I read the book and there was no else who could play Gus!!

[@CBeard849]

"By God Woodrow...........it's been quite a party" .....Yes Sir

[@sirgalahad3574]

"Your damn vanity."

[@ronreyes9910]

Watched this many times over the years and I Still tear up during Gus's death scene.Wonderful performances by all.

[@charliebravo1906]

My favorite character of all time.

[@deanc8077]

Best roles ever played by two great actors.

[@browntree1948]

These two understood to a tee the character of the Texas cowboy. I was privileged to know one in the last century who owned a ranch in the Texas panhandle after he left the USAF as a B-29 pilot. Bigger than life he was! I was a teenager when I witnessed my first roundup about this time of year when they dehorned, castrated, and branded the calves - a brutal introduction to ranch life for a city slicker like me. Another good depiction of this character is Tommy Lee Jones in "Good Ole Boys," with Sissy Spacek, Frances McDormand, Sam Shepard, and Matt Damon.

[@HansDelbruck53]

I remember thinking when I read the novel, Lonesome Dove, wouldn't Robert Duvall be perfect casting for Augustus McCrae. I was quite pleased when that turned out to be the case.

[@au7-721]

Same! I pictured Duvall all through the book.

[@sabrecatsmiladon7380]

One of the all-time great westerns.....put this one on THAT list

[@raytucker6568]

The older you get the more significant are Gus’s laments .

[@kurtbogle2973]

Second Hand Lyons, was a real roller coaster ride. MR Duvalk and Michael Cain Let go of your emotions because there in control now. That was the most masterful acting by everyone. One of my favorite movies.

[@averagejoe9040]

Yes. Second hand lions is probably my favorite robert duvall movie. But its almost tied with lonesome dove.

[@joaquinvillegas7678]

Love Robert Duvall.... he's one of the greatest actors!!!

[@georgewashington938]

Lonesome Dove was a beautiful study in personality. Duvall and Jones were perfect together. It is a shame Jones didn't come back as the story continued. Gus: Zest for life Call: Duty / responsibility Pea Eye: Loyalty Deets: Competence Newt: Fragile innocence Jake: Misplaced priorities ...

[@rebeccacurtis6680]

Gus was definitely my favorite character played by Robert Duvall with my 2nd favorite probably being his role in Secondhand Lions with Michael Caine (Tommy Lee Jones was originally wanted for the role Caine played).

[@KrystylSummers]

Nhra country

[@paulseigeldorf9461]

My all time fav character!! Gus McCray

[@anthonymctigue9038]

BEST WESTERN EVER MADE

[@patriciajohnson2]

Watching it for the first time on Roku! Where have I been. My husband and I absolutely love it!!❤

[@NickManCuso59]

Great actor. Great movie !

[@juddrobinson6762]

I never was a big cowboy fan, but Robert and Tommy's performance was so fluid and natural, they were these characters. Love every movie both of them were in; but "Lonesome Dove, tops them all.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

Open Range, Broken Trails & Tender Mercies weren't to bad either.

[@spencerhensley5495]

Tender Mercies is wonderful and far too underrated.

[@stevecampbell4859]

Epic!

[@j.m.youngquist419]

And we thank you for that. Two of my favorite characters, and two of the best movies ever. Not to mention, one of my all-time favorite actors

[@trynsurviven2440]

One of the best movies ever made with some of the greatest actors ever but, without Robert Duvall this movie wouldn’t have been near as amazing as it is. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it from start to finish at a time. To this day the ending still gives me chills.

[@TheLostChurchTreasureofSan-n9f]

I just watched it again...got the tears again...

[@daveycrocket4873]

Robert Duvall is top-tier actor. His portrayal of Augustus was real. I was there with him on the trail. And I felt a deep loss when he died.

[@philwilliams8328]

Duvall kicks ass in any western including another two of my other favorites: Broken Trail and Open Range.

[@jacoballen3267]

Truly one of my utmost favorite characters in cinema. Couldn’t have asked a better person to play Gus or Woodrow for that matter. To the sunny slopes, of long ago 🤠

[@moparmenace59]

Robert Duvall is pure gold, the diner scene in second hand lions is probably the best scene in all of movies ever made. he has made so many good movies its hard to chose his best.

[@steadfastandyx4947]

Could not agree with Mr Duvall more.(as if I know) it's brilliant.

[@hbrianunderwood4946]

Couldn't agree more. Wonderfully cast.

[@Carladc1956]

One of the top five westerns ever made. I remember I had a huge crush on Gus!😊

[@kylepalmer8730]

What I ment to say was. I absolutely loved that show....watched many many times. Thank you Mr. Duvall.

[@sca8217]

Not one to be sentimental... but to see the two ladies pine for the gentleman as he galloped away , a loving man that loved them both equally in spite of their foibles, brought about a silent tear. You could call Gus McCrae a philanderer, but he loved his ladies dearly, not just carnally, and the ladies knew it and responded equally. That's a man, right there.

[@Wyrmwould]

I liked the other Lonesome Dove movies that were made later, but if you want to see how great the first one was, just watch the other movies and feel their absence. The other actors did their best, and some were better than others at playing younger and older versions of Woodrow and Gus, but no one could match what Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones did with the roles.

[@krlpn1]

Hands down, one of the greatest! Then again, i love all of his movies.

[@dianakilmon7791]

do ppl know this is a true story of first men to herd cattle from texas to montana? Loving and Goodnight?

[@eclecticmusica]

You ask any Texan and they sure know.