The world of cinema mourns the loss of Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor who passed away on February 15 at the age of 95. While celebrated for iconic roles in films like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, Duvall's extensive filmography also includes a poignant Vancouver-shot project: the 1983 biopic The Terry Fox Story.
A Storied Career with a Canadian Connection
Robert Duvall's career spanned decades, earning him acclaim for performances in classics such as The Godfather: Part II, The Great Santini, and his Academy Award-winning turn in Tender Mercies. Among his over 80 film credits, his role in The Terry Fox Story stands out as a testament to his versatility and connection to Canadian storytelling.
Portraying a Real-Life Hero's Ally
In the biopic, Duvall portrayed the late Bill Vigars, a Vancouver publicist and close friend of Terry Fox. Vigars, who died in 2024 at age 78 in White Rock, was instrumental in organizing the 1980 Marathon of Hope and accompanied Fox on his journey until its heartbreaking end in Thunder Bay, Ontario, when Fox learned his cancer had spread.
The film, shot in Canadian locations including St. John's, Toronto, and Vancouver, starred Eric Fryer as Terry Fox, the Canadian hero from Port Coquitlam who inspired millions. Duvall's performance brought humanity to Vigars' role, as he noted in a 1982 interview with UPI while filming in Ontario: "I'm trying to bring my own humanity to it."
Legacy of a Pioneering Film
The Terry Fox Story holds historical significance as the first made-for-cable television movie, co-produced by CTV and HBO. It captured the essence of Fox's courageous battle and the support of figures like Vigars, with Duvall's portrayal adding depth to this emotional narrative.
Duvall's passing was confirmed by his wife, Luciana Duvall, in a social media post, where she described him as "one of the greatest actors of our time" and shared that he died peacefully at home in Middleburg, Virginia. His legacy endures not only through blockbuster hits but also through heartfelt projects like this Vancouver-based biopic, reminding audiences of his commitment to diverse and meaningful roles.
