Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Mike Billoni had a certain bond with Robert Duvall, while the famed actor was in Buffalo filming "The Natural."
"He loved Buffalo, he loved the people," recalled Billoni.
Duvall, 95, died Feb. 16.
The actor, best known for his role as Tom Hagen in the "Godfather" and "Godfather II" and for Lt. Col. Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now", spent nearly four months in Buffalo during the summer and fall of 1983, filming his role as sportswriter Max Mercy.
Billoni, a former sportswriter with the Tonawanda News and Buffalo Courier-Express, was the Buffalo Bisons' general manager during that summer - and through 1996.
Of all the stars in "The Natural" - including Robert Redford, Glenn Close and Darren McGavin - it was Duvall that Billoni most closely aligned.
Maybe, it was a real life sportswriter joining ranks with a fictional sportswriter, Billoni said.
"A couple of times, I offered him some insights or a chance to meet with (local) sportswriters, but he said 'We got this covered'," Billoni said.
During his Buffalo stay, Duvall lived in a rent Point Abino house, secured by Robert Rich Jr., then-Rich Products Corp. president and still Bisons' owner.
On several occasions, Billoni and Duvall had diner at Oliver's on Delaware Avenue - the unofficial restaurant for much of "The Natural" stars.
"The stories that were told," Billoni said.
Duvall was very much a down-to-earth person who felt at ease in a city like Buffalo, Billoni recalled.
"He was just so cool," Billoni said. "I loved how he operated."