Big Duke 6, out.
Of all the surf characters depicted by Hollywood over the years, four have become iconic: Sean Penn’s Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, John Philbin’s Turtle in North Shore, Patrick Swayze’s Bohdi in Point Break and Robert Duvall’s Lt. Col Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.
And amongst these four, Kilgore is king.
Duvall played the brash Vietnam conflict era helicopter to the absolute hilt, surfers, everywhere, thrilling at the depiction of a Wagner-listening, cowboy hat-wearing hard-charging surfer, as opposed to the traditional drop-out laid back slacker.
Kilgore’s hanging out of the helicopter, explaining the lineup, his giving his soldiers the option to either fight or paddle, his utterance of “Charlie don’t surf,” all simply majestic.
![Apocalypse now - [charlie don't surf] hd](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LztWlsHcivk/0.jpg "Robert Duvall, Actor Who Played Surfing'S Most Iconic Film Character, Dead At 95 2")
Duvall did not get a start as an actor until the ripe age of 31 but from there became a tour de force, shining in The Godfather trilogy, The Natural, Days of Thunder, etc. and winning an Academy Award for 1983’s Tender Mercies.
He was married four times, never having any children except surfers, everywhere, who consider him a sort of father.
RIP.
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Twenty years ago I did a surf trip in Vietnam with three other guys. We went in typhoon season and drove up and down the central coast for ten days looking for surf. One of the guys knew all the lines from Apocalypse Now and recited them constantly. It quickly became very annoying. I met up with that guy to go surfing again in Vietnam a few years later and he had stopped reciting lines from Apocalypse Now but had got on drugs and taken to behaving strangely. For example, he refused to stay in the same hotel as me and insisted on staying on the other side of town – we had to meet up somewhere halfway in the morning. I resolved to never go surfing with him again. Another few years later I saw his picture on a news site – he was going to jail. I’ve sent him a few messages since then but he hasn’t replied. If he ever does, I suppose I’ll ask if he wants to go surfing – in retrospect, I understand he wasn’t really bad company.
chas dont surf…
25 y ago… passed exam, admitted in public job… first salary, shop we go… fresh clean image tech sony dvd player purchased, alongside came apoc now, 3 1/2 h coppola cut… hopper, ford, sheen, duvall, brando… epic beginning for a blockbuster era movie addiction eh…
There is a great documentary on the making of Apocalypse Now called Hearts of Darkness. Lot’s of footage shot by Coppola’s wife showing how fragmented and fragile the whole process was, and how the film barely made it to the finish line. Highly recommend it.
BUT could he really surf?
Married the lovely Luciana Pedraza. Charmed life.
There’s hope yet, I just need a hollywood acting gig.
You forgot Brax cunt.
Xox
Scout, a great girls name
Playing in town speakers today on loop:
‘Just give me back the board, Lance. It was a good board and I like it. You know how hard it is to find a board you like.’
The man could sing pretty good too. He did all the singing himself for Tender Mercies
Kilgore was the character. Wonder how much of it was written by Milius (probably all) and how much by Coppola or other writers.
Milius seems like a massive prick, but I do wish that he had more time and money to do a better job on Big Wednesday, which for a long time was my favourite take on a Hollywood surf film. Recent rewatches have shown massive issues with the editing and plot line.
Can’t believe that Duvall was 31 all the way back in 1962 when To Kill a mockingbird premiered. 95 years old. What a trip. Imagine not letting the ciggies, booze, drugs and pussy take any years off of your life. Presuming that he partook in all of that living and working in LA.
Duvall was excellent in ‘Lonesome Dove’ playing Augustus McCrae. Classic… one of the best Westerns of all time.
It’s on YouTube and on a list of things to watch with my aged Dad.
He’s old and no longer likes some of the violent or lame shit I watch, so I think he’ll enjoy this.
He was also in John Wayne’s passion project True Grit.
Now do Keith Richards!
Don’t forget the 5th character–Kelly Slater. He’s played all sorts of roles: father (twice!), non-racist, free thinker, musician, entrepreneur, doctor, social media expert, wellness expert, Baywatch, connoiseur of models, retiree, and covering up narcissism with the facade of deep listening.
You forgot actor (Ke11y was in Surf’s Up) and scientist (at least per some of the ignorant commenters on here who think catching fish and taking pictures makes one a scientist).
Kelly’s acting all the time…even though he don’t have to…the dickhead.
Sobriety expert and drug taker!
Xox
and master douche…
Did not give 2 fucks about Looksmaxxing or any other 2026sss gay shit. Legend
Sounds like someone could use a pedicure.
Or a hug. Or a flick of their own bean.