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 Want to Wish Pete’s Family and Fans a Wonderful Thanksgiving
I had a huge crush on Pete Duel after seeing him on ASJ. I also tracked Geoffrey’s guest appearances on prime time by studying the TV Guide! The pool of TV actors was so much smaller back in the 1970’s, as were the acting venues. I wish Pete had lived long enough to get more refined treatment for his epilepsy.
I loved ASJ as a young kid. My mom and I would watch it every week. Then one week, there was a new lead and I was like, wait, what happened to Joshua/Heyes? My mom only told me that the actor had died. I didn’t learn that he had taken his life until a few years later. The show was a great interpretation of Butch and Sundance. I really missed it. I hope Pete found his peace.
I am amazed that most of these comments are recent (2019). I was 12 years old when Pete died and I never watched ASJ until just a few years ago and now on INSP. I just recently learned about his death so I have been reading so much about him. It is so wonderful that after 48 years he is still being remembered with so much love … and so I now too join you all in keeping his memory alive. I have thought of him almost every day and read of his struggles 😕
I listened to a webcast the other day regarding mental health and would like to share a few points with you all: Alcohol is considered a chronic brain disorder and a primary disease and coupled by depression is a big burden to live with. Depression is certainly one of the most common mental health diagnoses and a lot of times it’s characterized by sadness, empty moods lasting over two weeks. A person may feel worthless, guilty, lose hope; they don’t see hope for the future; they’ve lost pleasure BUT nothing scares us more than the issue of suicide and it’s probably as frightening as it can get because no one can predict it but we all know that there are factors that might serve as warning signs.
This beautiful beautiful man left us a beautiful gift that even today the younger generations that were not even alive when he died are becoming his fans. Perhaps our big goal today is to build that awareness; really build our understanding and get us more prepared to offer needed assistance when we recognize someone is struggling with this horrible disease. Just like his character, Hannibal Heyes, trying to go straight but with a price for his freedom. Pete, too, had his own struggles, but he paid dearly for his freedom.
Thank you, Laura, for this wonderful site and my caring thoughts to Geoffrey, Jacqueline, and Pamela (I wish I could meet you in person to give you all a big hug). Be well!!
RIP beautiful beautiful Pete!!
This is such a wonderful tribute site thank you so much Laura for keeping Pete’s light shining for all the world to see. I loved Pete in all the roles I saw him in. I adored him as the animal-loving lovable rogue in Alias Smith and Jones and remember when he passed away that sad December of 1971. I was 10 years old and it had a big impact on me. It was so long ago now, but he was a man ahead of his time in so many ways, particularly environmentally. I treasure my memories, and because of Pete I have tried to keep the love of the natural world paramount in my life. God bless to his loved ones and to all the Pete Duel fans out there. And God bless you Pete, rest easy xxx