The rewards of being a successful, famous actor can be big but the chances of reaching that goal are very small. Think about all the preparation involved, the expectations and the inevitable disappointments. And the ever present elements of luck, talent and timing that can make the difference between getting a part or being rejected. And once you’ve gotten the role, is it in a worthwhile vehicle or something that can stall your ambitions even before they start? And then if you catch the public’s eye and imagination you are suddenly under a microscope.

"It's Just Natural for Me..." by Art Zolan; Movie World, January 1972 After searching through the large sound stages of Universal Studios, I finally found the Alias Smith and Jones crew shooting on an outdoor set on the back lot where Pete Duel was working in an amusing but exhausting fight scene. It had been a few years since I had seen Pete; in fact, the last time was when he was starring in Love On a Rooftop. Pete certainly is a different man. I noticed the change immediately. He had even changed his name from Peter Deuel to Pete Duel. As I ... Read More

Read All the Facts Teen Pin-Ups, January 1972 PETE DUEL: One of Pete's childhood ambitions was to become a pilot and he grew up learning everything he could about planes. In high school, however, his dream was shattered when he was told his vision wasn't good enough to meet the requirements for flying. Shrugging off his disappointment, he set his sights on acting. And today he's walking on air instead of flying through it!

by Marvene Jones; Movie Life, July 1972 When MADLYN RHUE told JOANNA PETTET she heard Joanna and ALEX CORD were divorcing due to Joanna's prior romance with the late PETER DUEL, Joanna quipped, "Peter was not my type. Besides, Alex and I filed for divorce a year ago and then never bothered to do anything more about it."

by Michelle Blackley; The Penfield Post, June 21, 2001 Nothing stands in the way of Pat Oliver and the legacy of actor Peter Deuel — not even the Atlantic Ocean. Oliver, of Stockton, England, made her second trip to Penfield last week, with her husband John Oliver, to pay homage to 1960s actor Peter Deuel, in recognition of the 30th anniversary of his death. Deuel — who had a reoccurring role in Alias Smith and Jones, grew up at 1790 Penfield Road, now Northfield Coffee Co., and attended Penfield High School — died in the 1970s, playing Russian roulette [untrue]. He is ... Read More

Superstar, July 1972 Peter Ellstrom Duel was born on February 24, 1940, and died in his Hollywood home a star, on December 31, 1971, just a couple of months before his 32nd birthday. Apparently, he died by his own hand and for his own reasons, although his friends and relatives did not seem fully aware of how deep his intense depressions were. Pete enjoyed playing the character of Hannibal Heyes. He used to say "Heyes is hunted by every posse yet he is still able to laugh. It's something that I love him for. I try to be like that, but with ... Read More

FLIP, flipflap section, May 1972 The world has lost one of its greatest actors. He will be missed by many. I would like to suggest that you dedicate a page in FLIP in memory of Pete Duel. Maybe it could consist of pictures of him from his many roles on TV, or something else you feel would be fitting. But please, please, don't ignore the subject of his death just because it was a probable suicide. Pete was a great man and an excellent performer, and he deserves some sort of tribute for the joy and happiness he brought to his ... Read More

Woman's Own, June 29, 1974 by Fenton Bresler Until I went to Hollywood to research this series, I had never heard the phrase, "It'll blow your mind, man!" Now it seems an entirely appropriate way to describe that crazy, weird, unbelievably sick town. But nothing was more incredible than the quest that took me to that alien setting beneath the bright Californian sun... On the night of December 31, 1971, 31-year-old Pete Duel walked naked into the front room of his home — and blew out his brains. 'Cerebral destruction' were the grim words of the police report that I read in the ... Read More

CLICK HERE FOR THE SPANISH VERSION Translated by Google Translate, so please forgive the awkwardness. TODAY, FIRST CHAPTER OF "TWO MUSKETEERS" by J.M. Baget; Sunday, December 31 [1972] 4.00 "Tarde Para Todos" In the last day of the year, we offer viewers the first episode of the series "Alias Smith and Jones," which so successfully reached its still recent pass by Spanish Television. Thus know how Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry went on to become "Smith" and "Jones," two former bandits in search of a better and more peaceful life. What this program offers is generally cheerful on this carefree day of December 31 — ... Read More

CLICK HERE FOR TRANSLATION TO ENGLISH HOY, PRIMER CAPITULO DE "LOS DOS MOSQUETEROS" by J.M. Baget; Do-Mingo 31 De Diciembre 4,00 "Tarde Para Todos" En este último día del año, «Tarde para todos» ofrece a sus espectadores el que fue primer episodio de la serie «Los dos mosqueteros», que tanto éxito alcanzó a su paso — todavía reciente — por Televisión Española. Conoceremos de esta forma cómo Kid Curry y Annibal Heyes llegaron a convertirse en «Smith» y «Jones»; dos ex bandoleros en busca de una vida mejor y más tranquila. Que este programa se ofrezca en este día generalmente alegre y despreocupado del ... Read More

FLIP, May 1972 Pete Duel's tragic and untimely death left deep marks on many — his family and untold thousands of loyal fans — but the one friend who probably had the most difficult adjustment to make was his co-star in Alias Smith and Jones, Ben Murphy. Ben is a usually warm and out-going kind of guy, but he's kind of quiet nowadays. He had a strong friendship with the quite, introverted Pete [though this has since been discounted by Ben; he says he wasn't friends, but colleagues, with Peter]. They were near opposites in many ways, but working together every day ... Read More