Hollywood Pays Tribute to Acting Legend Robert Duvall, Rev. Jesse Jackson Passes at 84, Anderson Cooper to Exit 60 Minutes, Random Acts of Kindness Day is Celebrated

Rene Russo, Michael Jordan, Paris Hilton, Ed Sheeran, and Jeremy Allen White celebrate birthdays

From the LifeMinute.tv Team

February 17, 2026

Hollywood pays tribute to late Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall
Hollywood is in mourning following the passing of legendary actor Robert Duvall, who died peacefully on Sunday at the age of 95. Across the industry, tributes have poured in from co-stars, filmmakers, and admirers, honoring a remarkable seven-decade career and a man widely regarded as the ultimate “actor’s actor.” The Godfather co-star Al Pacino hailed Duvall as a “born actor” with a “phenomenal gift,” while director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Duvall on The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, called him an “essential part” of American Zoetrope from its very beginning. Jamie Lee Curtis shared a still of Duvall from The Godfather on Instagram, remembering him as “the greatest consigliere the screen has ever seen.” Adam Sandler, who appeared alongside him in 2022’s Hustle, reflected on his warmth and presence, calling him “funny as hell” and “strong as hell” — and simply one of the greatest actors to ever live. Viola Davis, who worked with Duvall in Widows, wrote a heartfelt tribute expressing her awe of his “towering portrayals of men who were both quiet and dominating in their humanness.” She added, “I had the honor of working alongside you in Widows. I was in awe. I’ve always been in awe of your towering portrayals… You were a giant… an icon… Greatness never dies. It stays… as a gift. Rest well, sir. Your name will be spoken… May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Duvall’s wife of 21 years, Luciana, confirmed that the Academy Award winner passed away peacefully at their Virginia home. “To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor,” she said. “To me, he was simply everything.”

Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights trailblazer and two-time presidential candidate, passes at 84
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, has passed away at 84 due to complications from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder which he publicly disclosed last April. For more than five decades, Jackson stood at the forefront of the fight for racial and economic justice. Rising to national prominence alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he marched courageously in pivotal moments like the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. He later founded the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and launched groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, amplifying the political voice of Black Americans and other marginalized communities. Celebrated for his electrifying oratory and unwavering dedication to social justice, voting rights, and economic equality, Jackson reshaped the nation’s political landscape by turning grassroots activism into enduring political power. His legacy remains that of a fearless trailblazer who challenged America to live up to its highest ideals and inspired generations to continue the relentless pursuit of equality.

Anderson Cooper to depart 60 Minutes after nearly two decades, to focus on family
Journalist Anderson Cooper is departing CBS’s 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years to prioritize his family and his primary role at CNN. In a statement to the Associated Press, Cooper said he wants to spend more time with his two young sons, Wyatt and Sebastian. He is expected to finish the current season, with his final episode airing in May 2026. His exit comes amid major changes at CBS News under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, with reports citing Cooper’s decision not to renew his contract due to internal tensions and concerns over the network’s recent “rightward” shift, following the merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global. Cooper will continue hosting Anderson Cooper 360° and his podcast All There Is exclusively at CNN.

Today’s holidays:
Random Acts of Kindness Day, National Cabbage Day, National Cauliflower Day.

In today’s birthday news:
Actress Rene Russo 72, actor Lou Diamond Phillips 64, basketball player Michael Jordan 63, actress Denise Richards 55, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong 54, actor Jerry O'Connell 52, socialite Paris Hilton 45, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt 45, musician Ed Sheeran 35, actor Jeremy Allen White 35.