What happened to Geoffrey Deuel’s brother Pete Duel? All we know as Chisum actor passes away

The world renowned actor, Geoffrey Deuel, and the brother of the late Pete Duel, passed away on December 22, 2024. He was best known for playing Billy the Kid in Chisum, and Dave Campbell in The Young and the Restless.

Geoffrey died at the age of 81, fighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a type of progressive lung disease. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline. The actor’s family expressed their grief and wrote:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mr. Geoffrey Deuel, a beloved actor, husband and brother, who departed this life. Geoffrey lived a vibrant life that touched many hearts with his kindness, love and caring personality.”

Geoffrey had lost his older brother, Peter Ellstrom Deuel, a famous actor, in the year 1971. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, Jacqueline Deuel shared, that both brothers really loved each other and took care of each other.

How did Pete Duel die?

As per Nostalgia Central, on the evening of December 31, 1971, Pete was at home with his then girlfriend, Dianne Ray, watching TV. The same night, Pete who later went on to drink heavily had a heated argument with Dianne. Shortly, after 1:25 a.m., Dianne had found the 31 years old actor dead, next to the Christmas tree with a .38 caliber revolver by his side. He had taken a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Pete Duel (born Peter Ellstrom Deuel), was born on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York. His first career aspiration was to be a pilot, which he later traded in for medicine, before finding his way to acting.

According to Nostalgia Central, Pete went to St. Lawrence University, where his theater involvement took off. Following his passion he received formal training in acting at the American Theatre Wing, where he studied Shakespeare, elocution and stagecraft.

Pete Duel started acting in the early 1960s and became popular thanks to theater and TV. His first TV role came in 1965, on Gidget, followed by a leading spot in Love on a Rooftop. But, his breakout role arrived in 1970 when he was cast as Hannibal Heyes (a.k.a. Joshua Smith) in the ABC western series, Alias Smith and Jones.

Pete Duel’s Struggles Behind the Scenes and an untimely death

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Pete Duel served to protect the environment, and on screen, he was an advocate of environmental conservation, a politically active Democrat.

Off stage, the actor was reportedly struggling with alcohol. He had legal troubles, including several drunken driving arrests. He lost his license and was arrested three times for drunk driving. Eventually, he was successful in escaping jail time, by promising the judge to stop drinking.

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