REMEMBERING PETE DUEL
Thank you to everyone who leaves such poignant and heartfelt expressions in The Memorial Book—and for all your kind words about this site. Your kinship is extremely appreciated. —Laura
Please post your thoughts below. The previous Memorial Book was receiving too much spam, so I had to close it and start this page instead. The previous memorial page also had hundreds of remembrances. I hope to someday transfer them here.
There may be a delay between when you leave your thoughts below and when your post appears, but rest assured, the post will eventually be published. Please keep in mind that many questions still remain about Peter’s state of mind in those final days of his life. One recent question is how much of a role the anti-seizure drug, Dilantin, played on his thoughts. Perhaps Pete was a victim of a pharmaceutical drug and not so much of self-inflicted depression. Also note that Geoffrey Deuel sometimes visited this page. Thank you.
Gosh I think I still have the newspaper notice somewhere…..hadn’t thought about it until I read your comment…..not sure I want to find it though since it just made me so sad……
Although I have always said a little remembrance every Dec 31 for Pete Duel, recently I tumbled back through time to when I was a huge Alias Smith and Jones fan at age 14. I started down memory lane in more depth after rewatching Butch Cassidy a month ago and hearing the line where Sundance says “Who am I, Smith or Jones?”. That got me remembering how much I loved Alias Smith and Jones back in the day. I decided I had to see the series again so got the 3 season DVD as well as the 2nd edition of the Paul Green biography of Pete Duel. I’ve just finished the biography…..learned so much more about Peter than I knew as a young fan….very thought provoking. As a 14 year old I remember watching the show at my house, with my best girlfriend watching at her house, and us on the phone the whole show watching it ‘together’ and talking about it as we watched. I think I was both a little in love with Hannibal Heyes and wanted to BE that kind of outlaw, all at the same time. I knew nothing of Peters personal struggles back then, and as most fans, was shocked by his death….I do remember exactly where I was when I learned about it. It was good to read more about his life; I feel lucky to have been around during the time he was able to share his talent with us. Peter, here’s hoping you’ve found peace and good times in the great beyond…..
It seems like only yesterday, can’t believe he’s gone but I’m thankful for all the videos just seeing him again makes me cry, will miss you always Pete you may have left our lives but you will always stay in my heart, Only you know the torment you were in but maybe for a split second that night you decided to end your life, Wish you could see how much you are loved and missed, see you in Heaven xxx💞
I have been rediscovering Pete Duel since I stumbled across an episode of The Virginian “The Price of Love”. I was never a big Pete Duel fan as a teenager, but I recall Alias Smith and Jones. I vaguely recall hearing about his death. Now I am rediscovering this very handsome, gifted, fatal actor. What a gift he had for acting! It’s running through my mind. Who else alive today that Pete reminds me of, his style of acting and his charm? The answer is Jeff Bridges. He is the only other actor I can think of who has a similar style.
But there was only one Pete Duel. I am so sad he did not have the opportunity to do more movies. He should have. And I know he wanted to.
Yet, the more I have been reading about him the more I realize that Pete was thinking about death for a long time. It’s so very strange. And his death seems as if it were a self-fulfilled prophecy. I’m haunted by him now. Especially since his birthday is one day from mine(fifteen years my senior) His Feb 24th mine Feb 25th. I feel as if I understand precisely why he took his own life and at the same time I am upset with him for doing it.
I hope you are at peace now, Pete. But your spirit is strangely haunting. Very haunting. (L.B. 1/11/2016)
I was such a huge fan of Pete Deuel. I was completely devastated that night. I still remember what I was wearing that night. Out celebrating the new year. Came home, turned on the TV…..stunned……so very sad.