Pete Duel — American Stage Actor

50 years since the actor took his own life

It was New Years’ Eve 1971 when actor Pete Duel took his own life. According to police and Duel’s friends and family, he was depressed over his drinking problem. He had been arrested, pleaded guilty to drinking under the influence, and had an accident that injured two people the previous June. Duel’s death was ruled a suicide.

He was 31 years old at the time of his death, which was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Duel developed epilepsy after being involved in a car crash. He had been prescribed…