I watched Gidget the other night and saw the actor, Peter Duel on the show. Does anyone know if he was a regular or just doing a guest spot?
This is the actor who later went on to star in the western TV series, Alias Smith and Jones. He battled alcoholism and later commited suicide. I was crazy over him as a young teen, and I still have the newspaper article on his death in 1970.

He seemed to be a semi-regular. He played Gidgit's brother-in-law in several episodes.
He also was on "Love on a Rooftop" back in the 60s with the sock-it-to-me girl, Judy Carne.

Thanks baronzzz. Love on a Rooftop slipped my mind. Newlyweds...living on love, not money--cute show.

I think they focused on the whole "Ann and John disapprove of how Russ is raising Gidget" angle more in the earlier episodes. They got away from this later in the season (thankfully) and then we saw less of Ann and John (Peter Duel). I was always waiting for Russ to say, "I'm the parent, not you two, so butt out!"

We never got to see Ann and John in the 1980s "Gidget" series, but their daughter did wind up staying with Gidget and Jeff.

It's a shame what happened to Peter Duel. He was so comical as Gidget's brother in law. He had so much potential. Seeing him on the re runs does make me happy though.

RIP - Peter Duel

another picture............

it's a shame he committed suicide. i thought he was a talented actor. I read somewhere that he wasn't into the grind of a weekly series though.

He was a very handsome man.

I too hoped that Russ would tell Ann and John to just "leave him alone" as far as raising Gidget was concerned. If Russ did a good job with Ann, what was wrong with how he raised Gidget? She was no dummy that's for sure.

Did they ever find out why he did it? Was he drinking or on drugs, did he leave a note, etc.??? What a shame...

Check out this great site:

http://www.peteduelsite.com/

Thank you, Salt Sister!!! :kiss:

So very welcome my dear. :kiss:

^ :yourock:

Check out this great site:

http://www.peteduelsite.com/

Thx from me too Irene!!!!

He was such a doll, I loved his dimples when he smiled.
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Thx from me too Irene!!!!
Anytime my peeps. ;)

the only thing i ever read was that he suffered from depression and alcoholism. Most likely, the depression caused it. That is, if it was indeed a suicide.

^ I remember reading an article a long time ago that said it may have been accidental, but I suppose we'll never really know for sure.

Some more pictures of Pete Duel from an episode of Gidget.

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It was always funny when Gidget's dad would ignore John & Ann's advice. John would get so exasperated, after all he was an expert. :lol:

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42 year anniversary of his suicide this year. Hopefully he is somewhere happy in the great beyond and no depressed/bitter earthbound ghost.

I was watching Alias Smith and Jones and read that he had taken his life. So sad to have life so dull and non rewarding, that you want to die. So so Sad. I get gloomy sometimes but to kill my self. NEVER

Peter Duel looks like Dick York who played Darrin on "Bewitched."

Peter Duel was in 23 of the 32 episodes so I would consider him a regular on the show. It is a shame that he committed suicide and I believe he just had an alcohol problem as well as depression.