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.
I first saw Peter Deuel on television in early 1968; I was captivated by his performance. Forty-seven years later he is still my favorite.
Pete had the ability to climb into a character’s skin and once that transformation was complete it was effortless and seamless. The exterior of that character was Pete but all you observed and heard was the character; it was marvelous and wonderful and I loved it! Pete was brilliant.
Alias Smith and Jones was a light-hearted western series which did not showcase the depth of Peter’s artistic ability and talent as a performer.
But Pete liked Heyes and we all loved him. Pete made Heyes his own…Heyes was the coolest outlaw ever.
Pete has been gone all these years but he is never more than a thought away; memories of his performances are cherished ones. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Pete. As always, he is sorely missed.
Pete Duel the performer has always been my favorite…he will be forever.
Pete Duel the man will forever be my hero.
Thank you, Laura, for this site and keeping Pete’s memory alive. You are a kindred spirit.
Check out a song specially written for Pete by an English songwriter>
http://www.mp3unsigned.com/Stig_Denson
Love to all Pete fans xxx
NATURAL BEAUTY IS PETE DUEL
I love your tousled brown hair
I love your maple brown eyes
I love your cute upturned nose
I love your adorable deep dimples
I love your gorgeous kissable mouth
I love your warm endearing smile
I love your tanned and freckled skin
I love your imperfections of your scars
I love your strikingly attractive features
I love your perfectly lovely profile
I love your exquisitely handsome face
I love your charismatic good looks
I love your strong manly hands
I love your gentle but strong voice
I love your adorably happy laugh
I love your effortless upright walk
I love your accomplished manner riding your horse ‘Clay’
I love your superb acting talent
I love your mesmerizing presence
I love your kind and caring nature
I love your wonderful passion for ecology and nature
I love your ‘I can’t keep my eyes off’ character Hannibal Heyes
I love your memorable hat tipped forward over your brow
What’s not to love about you, Pete?
Your natural beauty takes my breath away
You melt my heart
I love you for you
I love you forever x
—Marianne (Dec 1971 – 13 year old fan)
Bournemouth, UK
A poem I wrote remembering Pete’s 75th birthday for the online LA Times Guest Book. It only took me about half an hour as the words seemed to come so easily to me. There are so many lovely adjectives to describe Pete; he was such an exceptional person inside and out. I think of him every day. In my eyes, there will never be another man like him, truly missed.
Keep up the good work Laura & best wishes to Geoff.
I was a big fan of the show when I was in college. I wrote this after Pete’s death back then.
IN MEMORIAM
Goodbye Pete Duel,
Goodbye to the bluejeans and boots
The long hair under the cowboy hat
Goodbye to the well known smile
And the carefree way of living.
Goodbye Hannibal Heyes,
Goodbye to the happy face
Who robbed banks but never shot anyone.
Goodbye to the steady hands
Who opened safes
Or blew them open so artistically.
Goodbye to the expert card shark
Who only wanted amnesty.
Goodbye Joshua Smith,
Looking around corners avoiding trouble
Trying to keep his name concealed
While waiting for the day
He no longer has to run or hide.
So long Smith, so long Heyes, so long Pete Duel.
Back in 1971 when I was 12 I used to watch AS&J with my dad. When I first saw you I thought you the most handsome man I would ever wish to see, but then how sad I was to hear how you died. I wish it could have been different. It doesn’t seem possible that 43 years have gone by, you were born ahead of your time & time seems to stand still now we are lucky to have the internet keeping your memory alive. Although you disliked AS&J it has stood the test of time & if only you could have seen the joy it still gives us seeing your talent as an actor shining through & the wonderful chemistry you had with Ben Murphy. It is amazing how anyone can still mean so much to so many people after all this time even though we never had the chance to meet you but this shows what a beautiful person you were. Your gorgeous smile is in my heart & this gives me some comfort as does reading thoughts from others you remember you constantly with love. You are so special, I miss you, I love you for all my life. I hope I meet you one day in heaven but I fear there will be a long queue. Peter Ellstrom Deuel, I shall light a candle in your memory tonight, sleep in peace with the angels XX