Pete Duel’s Former House

Peter Duel House (5 of 8)

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.  That adage rings true for today’s story, about actor Pete Duel who shot and killed himself at his Hollywood Hills home in the early morning hours of New Year’s Eve 1971.  I had Duel’s address written down in the Haunted Hollywood portion of my To-Stalk list, though I cannot for the life of me recall how or where I obtained it.  I am unsure if a fellow stalker gave me the information or if I came across it in a book.  I really need to start keeping notes on my sources.  Regardless of how the address came my way, I was thankful for it and stalked the residence a couple of weeks ago while in L.A.

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Pete Duel was born Peter Ellstrom Deuel in Rochester, New York.  He started acting as a child and, in 1959, moved to Manhattan to try his hand at stage productions.  Deuel landed a role in a touring production of Take Her, She’s Mine in 1962, which brought him to Hollywood.  Once there, he decided to stay.  Peter gave himself five years to “make it” in the biz and make it he did.  He quickly landed guest roles on several television shows which eventually led to him being cast as John Cooper on the series Gidget.  When that show was cancelled after one season, he won a starring role in Love on a Rooftop.  That series did not fare well, either, and was also cancelled after its inaugural season.  It was at that time that Peter Deuel shorted his name to “Pete Duel.”  He moved on to films shortly thereafter and was successful.  Then, in 1970, he was cast in a leading role in the western-themed television series Alias Smith and Jones.  It was a quick hit.  The long hours proved hard on Pete, though, and he fell into a depression.  He also developed an alcohol habit.  Despite finally achieving the fame he had sought for years, he was not happy.  A do-gooder by nature, Pete felt that he should be bettering the world and that his acting in Alias Smith and Jones was too trivial to accomplish that.  The man who seemingly had it all wanted more.

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In the summer of 1971, Pete and his girlfriend, Diane Rey, moved into a brown-shingled two-bedroom residence in the Hollywood Hills.  At the time, the home was a small bungalow set back from the road.  It has since been remodeled and a large front portion, which sits perpendicular to the original structure, was added.  You can see what the property looked like when Pete lived on the premises here.

Peter Duel House (2 of 8)

The large addition is pictured below.  Today, the pad features four bedrooms, four bathrooms and 2,401 square feet of space.  I believe that the property may currently be a multi-family home.

Peter Duel House (1 of 8)

Peter Duel House (8 of 8)

December 30th, 1971 began like any other day for Pete.  He worked on his series and then, when shooting wrapped, was dropped off at home.  Diane and Pete settled in for the evening to watch the latest episode of Alias Smith and Jones.  Pete apparently was not pleased with it, which was not unusual.  Diane went to bed shortly after, while Duel stayed up to watch a Lakers game.  At around 1:30 in the morning, he walked into the master bedroom and grabbed his .38 revolver.  A few minutes later, Diane heard a gun shot and ran into the living room where she found the actor lying nude underneath the Christmas tree.  At the tender age of 31, Pete Duel was dead by his own hand – though whether it was an accident or on purpose the coroner couldn’t say.  Duel’s blood alcohol level at the time of the shooting was 0.31, so it might very well have been accidental.  The fact that shortly before his death he had scheduled his answering service to give him a wakeup call for 6:30 the following morning also lends credence to that scenario.  There is a third possibility, as well, though, which many online truth-seekers believe – that Diane actually murdered Pete and altered the scene to make it look like he had killed himself.  While Rey was questioned by the police, Pete’s death was officially ruled a suicide.

Peter Duel House (6 of 8)

Peter Duel House (7 of 8)

It took less than 12 hours for producers to recast Duel’s role on Alias Smith and Jones with actor Roger Davis.  Audiences never warmed to him, though, and the series, which had been so popular prior to Pete’s death, was cancelled the following year.  It is said that money does not bring happiness.  Apparently, neither does fame.

Peter Duel House (4 of 8)

Peter Duel House (3 of 8)

For more stalking fun, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Los Angeles magazine online.

Peter Duel House (5 of 8)

Until next time, Happy Stalking!  Smile

Stalk It: Pete Duel’s former house is located at 2552 Glen Green Street in the Hollywood Hills.

14 Replies to “Pete Duel’s Former House”

  1. Remembering Pete Duel its new year’s eve tomorrow, i shall never forget him, i like to think he was so drunk that night, he was acting out his part when he put the gun to his head, rest in peace Peter Duel.

  2. Wasn’t she an actress, too? Can’t even find her on imdb.com. Maybe changed her name? It’s been 50 yrs, this year, since his death…

  3. It’s been 50 years now, and I love Pete as much as I did back then. Yeah, I have a life. He’s just an important moment in my life that has never faded. Apparently a lot of folks felt that way about him… wish he had realized!

  4. I, as many other people who adored Pete, but isn’t it ironic, that we all seemed to love him for his role in Alias Smith and Jones when he hated the show. I was 21 years old when Pete died I am 68 now I was so upset I cried for days if not for weeks, and I am still very sad to this day. I watch his film clips from Smith and Jones from his memorial site that fans have sent in, so thanks to them I get to see him as much as I like. Some say you should move on but I can not, why should I. I love the memory of him.

  5. Peter Duel has been an complicated issue in my life since I was 14. Sure is sad. I do not think he ever realized the teenagers that loved him. Troubled soul. God love him. I sure did😥

  6. I have been a fan of Pete’s for a long time and have read lots of his interviews and a book about him. I Love him in Alias Smith and Jones and lots of other things I have seen him in. He was a very good actor and was charismatic. I don’t think we will ever know what happened that night But I don’t think Pete committed suicide he had drunk a lot that night and was not thinking straight I think it was a tragic accident and Pete may have been playing around with the gun. One thing I know for sure I have loved him since I was 14 and always will Love him. R I P Pete xxxx

  7. I believe pete could of been gay?on many of the interviews on youtube all his friends family Inc Ben! Hint on that subject kind of listen next time.Shame he has I miss I’m a fan I hope a/s is on bluray one day with extras loads,he shouldn’t of done it but I guess for some of us life isn’t easy and we want to leave,he was a good guy but living a lie he could not come out!what a talented guy I’m sure if he was around he would of had parts in Dallas etc,he deserved much more poor pete God bless you so sad you walked but I guess some off us Understand this Dull Pointless Thing Toyed Life X

    1. How utterly ridiculous!!!! Pete was not gay. If anything he was a true playa and loved the ladies!! Jill Andre and Pete should have gotten married but he just wasn’t ready yet.
      I still love ya, Pete. Always♥️

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