Robert Duvall’s Early Career at The Gateway Playhouse

Long before achieving acclaim in Hollywood, Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall honed his craft at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, Recent York. Duvall, who died Sunday at 95, was a frequent performer at the theater during its formative years, appearing in approximately 20 productions.

The Founding of The Gateway

The Gateway Theatre, originally founded in 1950 by Harry Pomeran, was a family affair. Pomeran ran the theater alongside his three children: Sally, David, and Ruth Allan, whose son, Paul Allan, is the current executive artistic director. According to Paul Allan, his aunt Sally Pomeran, a college acquaintance of Duvall’s, was instrumental in bringing him to The Gateway. Duvall was affectionately known as “Bodge” by those at the theater.

Early Roles and Training

Duvall first graced the stage at The Gateway in 1952, appearing in productions of “Laughter in the Stars” and “The Little Prince.” Following a period of service in the Army, he returned to Bellport in 1955 and performed consistently for the next four years. His roles spanned a diverse range of dramatic works, including William Inge’s “Picnic” and “Bus Stop,” Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” Jean Anouilh’s “Thieves’ Carnival,” and Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution,” where he played the solicitor.

Duvall’s dedication to his craft extended beyond performance. In 1957, his Playbill bio for “Witness for the Prosecution” revealed that he was a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in Manhattan and a member of Sanford Meisner’s acting workshop. He likewise collaborated with Alvin Epstein, a mime who had trained with Marcel Marceau.

Future Stars and Lasting Impressions

The Gateway Playhouse also served as a proving ground for other emerging talents. Duvall brought along friends Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman for auditions. Even as Hoffman’s audition was unsuccessful, Hackman went on to appear in several Gateway productions, including “Witness” and “A View From the Bridge.”

Despite the talent on display, those at The Gateway didn’t immediately foresee the level of stardom Duvall would achieve. Paul Allan recalls his mother often speaking of Duvall, noting, “She said he was good but back then he was just a young actor starting out. No one had any feeling at that time that he’d become a sizeable star.”

The Gateway’s History

The Gateway Playhouse evolved from the Gateway Hotel, a resort operated by Harry and Libby Pomeran for Christian Scientists beginning in 1941. The property, originally a 70-acre farm and the estate of J.L.B. Mott, featured a mansion house designed by Stanford White. The Pomeran children were involved in all aspects of the hotel’s operation, from chores to entertaining guests with performances. Inspired by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, the family transformed the barn into a professional theatre in 1951, with Sally Pomeran designing an arena stage.