This collection of Pete’s words are also found in the “Complicated, Simple Me” book, available in the PDMS Store, pulled from various newspaper and magazine articles which quoted him as saying such.

On Clothes

I dare to dress as I prefer. I don’t believe any star has to always be ‘on.’ I refuse to dress up unless it’s actually appropriate. I attempt to fit into the general atmosphere, remain myself in jeans and a sweater or jacket over a sport shirt. Why be overly influenced by others? In warm weather, I arrive at the studio barefoot and remain so until I have to put on socks and shoes for a scene.

I’ve been going barefoot since I was a kid. Even as a student in New York City, I used to go bare­foot. When I came to California, I started wear­ing a suit and a tie. So what happens? I’m told, “You’re overdressed. You’ve gotta be more casual.” So I began going everywhere in sweaters, slacks and loafers… and started going barefoot again.

I’ve never cared much about clothes. Whatever I find close to the bed when I wake up, I wear. I look like a slob when I’m not working. But nobody knows me except when I’m on the screen so I don’t let it bother me.

On His Love for Cars and Motorcycles

Cars and motorcycles are a weakness I watch. I’m mechanical and revel in the quality of a fine car and cycle. When I was on tour with the play I fell for a British sports car. The payments on it were too high during my first year here so I learned not to do that again. I drive a jeep. It’s rugged but not cheap, either. If a date thinks we should go somewhere in a nicer car, we transfer to hers. If it’s a premiere, I rent one for the evening. I sold my last motorcycle five months ago, when I was persuaded it was dangerous. I’m apt to buy a new one, though. I admit I once split my right leg open from my knee to my ankle when a nut turned in front of me abruptly and sent me careening down a canyon.

I just enjoy wheels.

… my car. It’s a rugged jeep. Its jounce isn’t as bad as that sounds.

On His Beard

I feel vulnerable without one. My beard is so comfortable. Now I have to slip into something less comfortable — my own bare face.

On His Hobbies and Interests

I’ve been used to coming home and turning on my music and reading after I fix myself some­thing to eat. I’m enjoying pen and ink sketching once more. I’m working on my second oil paint­ing. I’m mighty critical of my own efforts. I’m going to type out all the poetry I’ve written and begin submitting it for publication. I think four of my poems are excellent. And I’m practicing more on my guitar, so I can play it if that’d come in handy on a personal appearance. I believe owning a house up North or back East would be terrific! Planes make it possible to commute to a beautiful spot on weekends after work in the city.

[The drawings range] from semi-cartoon cari­catures to abstract—lines that have no meaning except that their relationship on paper is inter­esting.

You could put all my hobbies under the category of Life and Truth.

I’m learning all the time.

On Camping

I think the purest form of pleasure is to get out and camp, and discover new country far away from the freeways.

Sometimes we take along fishing gear and sleep­ing bags and head for the High Sierras. Other times we really use the Toyota the way it was meant to be used. We drive up and down hills just for the thrill of it.

I love the outdoor life and spend all my free time enjoying it — when there is some free time! I’d rather be camping out in the wilderness than anything else I can think of. I like to load up my jeep with provisions, tent and stove, and head out to some of the remote areas of Califor­nia or Nevada. It’s fun out there, explor­ing old mines and ghost towns. You can also find a lot of treasures — not always gold, but it’s a good feeling just finding an old shoe from a mule or a miner’s shovel. It makes for exciting adventure.

[Camping is] my main hobby. I just love it. I spend much of my free time exploring the back country of Cali­fornia’s High Sierras and sometimes spend weeks at a time driving through this — to me — wonderfully uncharted country.

It’s a great way to recharge your batteries.

Let’s say I have two or three weeks off. I like to go camping. Go to the mountains. I enjoy motor trips, nice and slow in the back areas. Any­place — as long as there are very few people there.

On Self-Reflection

I think that everyone is an institution and everyone with deep problems believes that if they really look at their problems, and analyze them, they will die. It is a fear I live with all the time.

On His Fuller Avenue Apartment

The place was me. It was old and funky and warm and lived-in. It looked as if I’d been living there for 40 years… really interesting… cluttered with paintings and book cases and funky old furniture — it was a true delight.

I stick to my simple ways because they’re relaxing. I dare to stay in the same apartment because it still suits me. Too many newcomers in Hollywood take a huge one and suddenly find it painful to come up with the rent. I still pay $65 a month for a place I furnished myself. It’s big enough because I’m the only person there. When I move it’ll be to a house I can afford.

It’s a nice neighborhood, a good atmos­phere for easy living. There’s flavor here. Retired first — generation European Jews, some Italian families, Mexican-Americans, some blacks, an assortment of ‘arty’ types, mostly couples with kids. He [the neighbor occupying the second floor of the house in front] is president of the Gay Liberation Front. [The line drawings and graffiti are] from my drunk period. [The baby grand piano is] my real prize.

The place was me. It was old and funky and warm and lived-in. It looked as if I’d been living there for 40 years… really interesting… cluttered with paintings and book cases and funky old furni­ture — it was a true delight.

I had the whole corner of the kitchen filled with aluminum cans.

I had to move because I just didn’t have enough space for all my books, paintings, sketches, and my fishing and camping gear. I needed more room for my three dogs to run around in, too.

On His Lifestyle

Sometimes I’m just not able to relax. In this town, there are always so many things on my mind, things that have to be done. I could relax in this character without any feeling of guilt because I was working. I could be cool and quiet through the period of time I did the role, even after work. I’m not usually like that.

I try hard to be myself at all times — I don’t want to appear phony to anyone, and I don’t like people who are that way with me.

I just enjoy life. I have three dogs — Cham­pagne, Carroll, and Shoshone, who is named for the Indian tribe. And recently I’ve acquired a great passion for football. When I was a kid I really didn’t pay much attention to it. I love to read — all sorts of things. I have the Complete Works of Shakespeare, How to Buy Stocks, The Psychology of Self-Esteem and Dylan Thomas poetry — which I keep in the bathroom along with the vitamins.

There was a great interest in music in our family.

. . . anything that’s solid and genuine. A good violin concerto turns me to the wall.

Music’s cool in Rochester. [I like] very easy things like pop and country-Western.

You’ve got to stay healthy in this line of work.

I also have a great taste for health foods — and my home is full of vitamins and natural foods. It all goes along with preserving yourself to help preserve the world.

I was interested in health food for a while, but I really didn’t know where to hang my hat on any of it. And Dianne was really into it. She grew up as a Seventh Day Adventist and they’re pretty much vegetarians — they have their own com­pany called Loma Linda that makes great can­ned vegetarian food. She also introduced me to [Adele] Davis’ books which really interested me, so I went a little further. I’ve always been interested in eating well. I believe in treating my body as well as I can — especially with regard to the food I take into it. So I naturally observed Dianne’s eating habits while she explained to me the philosophy behind her different kind of diet. It was very easy. I said, “Sure, I’ll try this. I’ll try that.” And I found that I like it. But the first thing that I ate I didn’t really like — it was a vegeburger, a hamburger with all the vegetable content as opposed to meat. The second item was imitation chicken and I liked it. So from that point, we were off and running. Anything she suggested, I would try. It’s something that makes for a more compatible relationship because we’re both very interested in the way we eat. It’s always fun.

On His Mountain Property

I’m considering buying property right now near Sonora, California.

The last trip was July 4th. I had bought 20 acres of land in the High Sierras. I want to move to the wilderness area. A girlfriend of mine and I and John [Napier] and his son went up there and spent three days. It was lovely, just beautiful. That was the last chance.

I found the most gorgeous spot just above Son­ora, California. It’s in a section of the Sierras known as the Mother Lode country. It was probably pretty inhabited during the gold rush days, but now there are no people living there for miles around. In a way, it might seem stupid. Because it’s so high and gets so much snow, the property is accessible only six months of the year. Last time I looked at it I had to walk the last three miles. But it’s 20 wooded acres at an elevation of 8,500 feet almost surrounded by national forest land. The air and the view and the seclusion are fantastic. I really need a place like that to escape to. It kind of reminds me of back home in Penfield, although it’s a lot more rugged. The idea is still the same, though. It’s a quiet, untouched, and really natural spot.

I can drive it in seven hours and fly in if time is too short.

It’s the only place I really feel at home.

I, I don’t know. I don’t know anymore. I think I would like to live… I think I would like to live…well, part of the year in a climate like [western New York]. To be able to have a place where I could go… and experience the seasons. I need a special place to think. I don’t care where I go as long as I get out of Los Angeles. I just DON’T like this area!

On Suicide

(recalling a time when he was 16)
I thought about it a long time. I felt useless. I was ambitious for nothing. I kept feeling I was on the wrong track and would never get off. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me if I died, but it seemed the only sensible thing to do. Then I discovered there was one thing I didn’t have: the guts to take my own life. So, in truth, I just chickened out and after a while the urge went away.