To the outside world, Peter Ellstrom Deuel, known professionally as Pete Duel, seemed to have it all. A successful career highlighted by a starring role in the hit television series Alias Smith & Jones, a loving girlfriend, a comfortable home, and financial security. Yet, in the early hours of December 31, 1971, this charismatic and gifted actor tragically took his own life. This article delves into the life of Peter Ellstrom Deuel, exploring his journey from aspiring doctor to television star, and the circumstances that led to his untimely death.
Peter Ellstrom Deuel entered the world on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York. He was the firstborn son of Dr. Elsworth Shault Deuel and Lillian Marcella Ellstrom, a woman of Swedish-American heritage. His family soon expanded with the arrival of his brother Geoffrey in 1942 and sister Pamela in 1945. Growing up in a supportive and intellectually inclined environment, Peter Ellstrom Deuel was encouraged to pursue his passions.
Initially, young Peter Ellstrom Deuel dreamt of becoming a pilot. However, a routine eye exam revealed that his vision was 20/30, redirecting his aspirations away from the skies and towards medicine, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
He enrolled at St. Lawrence University in Watertown, NY, the alma mater of his paternal lineage, to pursue pre-medical studies. During his two years there, while diligently studying to become a doctor, Peter Ellstrom Deuel discovered a hidden passion for the dramatic arts. He immersed himself in the university’s drama department, participating in every play they staged, showcasing a natural talent for performance.
Realizing that a life in medicine was not his true calling, Peter Ellstrom Deuel made a pivotal decision. He left his pre-med studies and joined the prestigious American Theatre Wing in New York City. For two intensive years, he honed his acting skills, studying a wide range of disciplines including Shakespearean drama, Restoration Comedy, elocution, fencing, dance, and body movement. This comprehensive training provided him with a solid foundation for a professional acting career.
Peter Ellstrom Deuel in a promotional headshot, showcasing his handsome features that captivated audiences.
In 1962, Peter Ellstrom Deuel secured his first paid acting role in an off-Broadway production of Electra at the Players’ Theatre in Greenwich Village. His involvement extended beyond acting, as he also served as an assistant stage manager, gaining valuable behind-the-scenes experience in the theatre world.
His talents soon transitioned to the small screen. Peter Ellstrom Deuel made his television debut in an hour-long production for Armstrong Theatre. Following this, he embarked on a tour with the Broadway hit Take Her, She’s Mine, starring Tom Ewell. Upon completing the tour, the allure of Hollywood beckoned, and Peter Ellstrom Deuel decided to seek his fortune in the movie capital.
Upon arriving in Hollywood, Peter Ellstrom Deuel initially found himself cast in primarily villainous roles. However, his breakthrough came when he landed a part in the television series Gidget, which premiered on September 15, 1965. This role brought him wider recognition and paved the way for further opportunities.
The following year, Peter Ellstrom Deuel secured a lead role in Love on a Rooftop. This series provided him with a platform to demonstrate his versatility as an actor, allowing him to explore both comedic and dramatic facets of his talent.
In 1967, Peter Ellstrom Deuel made his film debut in The Hell with Heroes. His performance impressed Universal Studios executives, leading to a significant seven-year contract. He further built his television resume with guest appearances in popular shows such as The Fugitive, The Virginian, and Ironside.
Standing tall at 6 feet, Peter Ellstrom Deuel’s charismatic presence made him a natural fit for leading roles. He was chosen to portray Hannibal Heyes (alias Joshua Smith) in a new ABC television series titled Alias Smith & Jones. The show centered around two train robbers who are offered amnesty on the condition that they maintain a clean record for a year.
Alias Smith & Jones premiered in the UK on BBC2 in April 1971 and quickly became a sensation. For professional simplicity, Peter Ellstrom Deuel adopted the stage name “Duel.” The series propelled him to stardom, but the demanding schedule of filming a weekly television show took a toll.
The relentless workload began to affect Peter Ellstrom Deuel. In August 1971, he collapsed on set due to influenza and was forced to take time off. Rumors of him being “difficult” to work with began to circulate, although Peter Ellstrom Deuel maintained that he was merely a perfectionist dedicated to his craft. He reportedly hoped that a less demanding series would offer him an escape from Alias Smith & Jones, allowing him to pursue his aspirations of returning to “proper” acting on Broadway.
Peter Ellstrom Deuel openly expressed his reservations about the quality of work in television series, stating, “The quantity of work is Herculean and the quality is often non-existent.” While a salary increase temporarily appeased him, he confided to a journalist friend, “Contractually I have to do this series or some other trash.”
Beyond his acting career, Peter Ellstrom Deuel was a politically engaged Democrat and an ardent supporter of Eugene McCarthy. In November 1971, he ran for an executive position in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) union but faced disappointment when he lost the election. Upon receiving the telegram informing him of his defeat, he reportedly pinned it to a wall and, in a moment of frustration, shot a hole through it with his revolver.
A candid shot of Peter Ellstrom Deuel displaying his environmental consciousness, advocating for peace and ecology.
Peter Ellstrom Deuel was also a passionate environmentalist, advocating for ecological awareness two decades ahead of his time. He enjoyed picnicking in nature, always ensuring he left the area cleaner than he found it. He consciously avoided purchasing non-recyclable containers and actively campaigned for broader recycling practices. He often prefaced his autograph with the words “Peace and Ecology Now,” reflecting his commitment to both environmental and social causes.
Despite his progressive ideals, Peter Ellstrom Deuel struggled with personal demons, finding solace in alcohol rather than drugs, which was more typical of the era. He was arrested three times for drunk driving, ultimately leading to the suspension of his driver’s license. To avoid jail time, he pledged to the judge that he would abstain from alcohol. He received a $1,000 fine and a suspended jail sentence of 180 days, probation lasting for two years. Tragically, just a week after his plea, Peter Ellstrom Deuel would take his own life.
In December 1971, he volunteered his time for the Toys for Tots charity telethon, dedicating two weekends to the cause. A photograph taken during this event shows Peter Ellstrom Deuel holding a toy gun to his head, a haunting foreshadowing of his fate. It was also reported that he would often playfully place his prop gun to his head while in the makeup chair on set.
On Thursday, December 30, 1971, Peter Ellstrom Deuel worked on the set of Alias Smith & Jones as usual. According to crew members, he appeared to be in good spirits. At his home located at 2552 Glen Green Terrace, a two-bedroom bungalow in the Hollywood Hills, Peter Ellstrom Deuel reviewed the script for the following day’s filming.
His girlfriend, Dianne Ray, a 29-year-old secretary and aspiring actress, visited him that evening. Together, they watched the latest episode of Alias Smith & Jones (reportedly, Duel was critical of the episode) and a Lakers basketball game. As the evening progressed, Peter Ellstrom Deuel consumed a significant amount of alcohol, leading to an argument with Dianne, who eventually went to bed.
At approximately 1:25 am, Peter Ellstrom Deuel entered the bedroom and gazed at Dianne for a prolonged moment before approaching a dresser. He retrieved a package that Dianne initially mistook for a belated Christmas gift. Carrying the box into the living room, Peter Ellstrom Deuel smiled at his girlfriend and uttered his final words, “I’ll see you later.”
Peter Ellstrom Deuel pictured with his girlfriend Dianne Ray, their relationship ending in tragedy on the night of his death.
Moments later, Dianne heard a loud bang, resembling a firecracker. Upon investigating, she discovered Peter Ellstrom Deuel lying nude in front of the Christmas tree, a .38 caliber revolver by his side, and a fatal gunshot wound to his right temple. Dianne immediately contacted the police.
Initially, authorities were hesitant to rule the death a suicide, considering Peter Ellstrom Deuel’s open-door policy for aspiring and struggling actors. They briefly entertained the possibility of foul play, suggesting a jealous actor might have been responsible. However, no evidence emerged to support the presence of anyone else in the house besides Duel and Ray.
Peter Ellstrom Deuel’s friends dismissed the suicide theory, proposing accidental death as a more plausible explanation. However, they failed to provide a convincing rationale for why an ecology-minded individual like Duel would possess a gun, if not for self-harm.
It is noteworthy that upon arriving in Hollywood, Peter Ellstrom Deuel had given himself five years to achieve success before considering a return to Broadway. At the time of his death, he had spent six years in Hollywood, and the success of Alias Smith & Jones threatened to prolong his stay in television, potentially hindering his Broadway aspirations.
A memorial service was held on January 2, 1972, at the Hindu-Christian Self-Realization Temple in Pacific Palisades, a place of worship affiliated with his manager, though Peter Ellstrom Deuel himself was not a member. His funeral took place on January 5 at the Baptist Church in Penfield, New York.
Even decades after his passing, Peter Ellstrom Deuel remains remembered for his talent, his ideals, and the potential that was tragically cut short. As he himself once observed, “Fame in show business is not in proportion to actual achievement.”
His business manager, John Napier, shared a lasting memory of Peter Ellstrom Deuel: “I shall never forget early one morning, about 4 am one summer, when Pete stood in front of my home, barefoot in blue jeans, looking out over the vast valley stretching far into the distance, and began in a loud, strong, beautiful voice, to recite Hamlet.”
“Even in my sleepless stupor, I was suddenly caught up in the beauty of the speech as his Hamlet reverberated round the hills. When he came near the end of the speech, the sun began to peak its brilliant head over a nearby mountain as if to pay tribute to a fine performance. ‘I love you, Sun!’ he yelled, and we broke into gales of laughter. Neighbours be damned. It was a happy time. There were many happy times like that.”
