Gus McCrae — Lonesome Dove (1989)

Duvall's Emmy-winning portrayal of Augustus "Gus" McCrae in the landmark CBS miniseries Lonesome Dove is considered one of the greatest performances in television history. McCrae is the irrepressible, philosophical, life-loving half of a legendary Texas Ranger partnership. In a 6-hour story about friendship, death, and the closing of the frontier, Duvall gave the performance of a lifetime — outrunning the format itself.