For more than a half century, Mr. Duval worked or volunteered at many local theaters, including the Theater of the Living Arts, the Full Circle Theater, and the Wilma Theater.
Mr. Duval also participated in cultural festivals such as the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Philadelphia International Film Festival, and the Philadelphia QFest. He had an occasional column, "SHOWTALK!," in the Nicetown News.
After graduating from Temple University with a degree in child development and a minor in theater and speech, Mr. Duval, with his sister Shirley Shapiro, opened Red Lion Day Care and summer camp in Northeast Philadelphia. There, he would shorten well-known plays and musicals for the staff members to perform for the children.
"When he spoke, people always listened," said Hunter. "He was really knowledgeable about the theater. And about people, too. He had this connection with people."
Mr. Duval volunteered at the Woodhaven Center in the Northeast, said Hunter, working with male juveniles.
Mr. Duval also became a member of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project, speaking out on behalf of underserved communities.
In addition to Hunter, Mr. Duval is survived by his sister Marian; brother Herman; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
At the time of his death, Mr. Duval was rehearsing for the musical 3 Divas 3 and had finished filming Andrew Repasky McElhinney's Christmas Dreams, a science-fiction movie to be released in December.
Mr. Duval's memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.
Contact Samantha Byles at 215-854-2771 or sbyles@phillynews.com.
