Hollywood icon Robert Duvall once revealed he named one of his dogs after Celtic icon Jimmy Johnstone, describing the Lisbon Lion as the most memorable personality he had ever encountered…
The Oscar-winning actor – famed for his roles in The Godfather and Scottish football drama A Shot at Glory, died yesterday aged 95.
Duvall built a reputation across more than 60 years in the industry for portraying hard-edged characters, including the trusted mafia adviser in The Godfather and a commanding military officer in Apocalypse Now.
Robert Duvall, legendary actor and surprise Scottish football pundit
— Francis Keogh (@HonestFrank) February 16, 2026
Although his appearance in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 war epic lasted only a short time, one of his lines from the film went on to become one of the most memorable in cinema history: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
Duvall met Johnstone during the filming of the movie, where he portrayed Kilnockie FC manager Gordon McLeod.
Despite working alongside some of the biggest figures in cinema, the American star said none left a greater impression on him than the former Celtic winger and European Cup winner.
Speaking in 2012 while promoting Jack Reacher in the UK alongside Tom Cruise, Duvall reflected on his passion for football during a visit to the Manchester derby.
Duvall said in a clip which was posted on X: “I know a lot of the great players, I’ve seen them, and I can safely say the greatest character I have ever met, and I have met a lot, is wee Jimmy Johnstone from Scotland.”
“Jinky, what a guy. I named a dog after him – a great guy, he died too young that guy. What a character, and a great player.”
Robert Duvall, alongside Tom Cruise, talking about #Celtic‘s majestic Jimmy Johnstone.
“The greatest character I ever met in my life, and I’ve met a lot, was wee Jimmy Johnstone. I named a dog after him! Great guy. He died too young.”
Jimmy lost his life to #MND/#ALS in 2006… pic.twitter.com/h9dJ0yIVnT
— Jayne Halhead (@Jaynes__World) January 6, 2024
Jinky – who sadly passed away in 2006 – is most fondly remembered around world football for his glittering career with Celtic, highlighted by his role in the side that lifted the European Cup in 1967.
In 2002, he was chosen by supporters as the club’s greatest ever player. The legendary winger netted 129 times in 515 outings for the Hoops and also earned only 23 international appearances for Scotland.
RIP to Hollywood great Robert Duvall, pictured signing an autograph in Glasgow in 1999, alongside his ‘A Shot At Glory’ co-star Ally McCoist. Pic: Daily Record pic.twitter.com/YCDXZMv5vx
— Being Scottish (@BeingScots) February 16, 2026
Rest in peace Robert Duvall.
Conor Spence
What a legend…Ally is,Duvall would send him a Christmas card every tear.