Anaya Nolan
In the television series Gidget, Gidget's brother-in-law, John Cooper, is played by Pete Duel. Duel was born in Rochester, New York, and found work in television after moving to West Hollywood in 1963. He landed small guest spots before being cast in Gidget in 1965, appearing in 22 of the show's 32 episodes. Duel was named the Most Promising Male Star of 1966 in Quigley Publications' Television Almanac. He later starred in Alias Smith and Jones, a light-hearted Western about two outlaws. Duel passed away on December 31, 1971, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Ellstrom Deuel |
| Known as | Pete Duel |
| Profession | American stage, television, and film actor |
| Date of Birth | 24 February 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Rochester, New York |
| Role in Gidget | Gidget's brother-in-law, John Cooper |
| Appearances in Gidget | 22 out of 32 episodes |
| Other Notable Roles | Outlaw Hannibal Heyes in Alias Smith and Jones |
| Death | 31 December 1971 |
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![Gidget: Complete Series [DVD] [1965] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yyEC5lToL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Pete Duel's career
Peter Ellstrom Deuel, known professionally as Pete Duel, was an American actor for stage, television, and film. Born on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York, he was the eldest of three children born to Dr. Ellsworth and Lillian Deuel. After graduating from Penfield High School in 1957, he attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where he majored in English. He then moved to West Hollywood in 1963 following a tour with the National Road Company's "Take Her, She's Mine".
Duel landed small guest spots on various TV series, including comedies such as Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and dramas like Channing, Combat!, and Bonanza. In 1965, he was cast in the comedy series Gidget as Gidget's brother-in-law, John Cooper, appearing in 22 of the show's 32 episodes. Despite the show's cancellation after one season, Duel quickly landed the starring role of Dave Willis, a newlywed apprentice architect, in the romantic comedy series Love on a Rooftop. Although the show earned good ratings, ABC decided not to renew it for a second season.
In 1967, Duel signed a seven-year contract with Universal Studios and continued to take on guest spots and movie roles. He appeared in feature films such as "The Hell with Heroes" (1968) and "Generation" (1969). In 1970, he changed the spelling of his last name from Deuel to Duel and starred in the Western "Cannon for Cordoba", playing the mischievous soldier Andy Rice.
In the same year, Duel was offered the role of Hannibal Heyes (alias Joshua Smith) in the comedy Western pilot Alias Smith and Jones, which was loosely based on the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". The show was a light-hearted Western about the exploits of two outlaws trying to earn amnesty. Duel became a heartthrob and gained a loyal following, especially among the youth audience. During the hiatus between the first and second seasons of "Alias Smith and Jones", he starred in the television production of Percy MacKaye's 1908 play "The Scarecrow".
Duel was also politically active, campaigning for Eugene McCarthy in opposition to the Vietnam War during the 1968 presidential election. He attended the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he witnessed the violence that erupted. Unfortunately, Duel struggled with depression, a drinking problem, and a drunk driving incident that injured two people. On December 31, 1971, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Hollywood Hills home. His death came as a shock to his family and friends, and he was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Penfield, New York, following a memorial service at the Penfield Baptist Church.
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Pete Duel's personal life
Peter Ellstrom Deuel, known professionally as Pete Duel, was born on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York. He was the eldest of three children born to Dr. Ellsworth and Lillian Deuel. His brother, Geoffrey Deuel, was also an actor, and his sister's name was Pamela.
Duel attended Penfield High School, where he worked on the yearbook staff, campaigned for student government, and was a member of the National Thespians Society. After graduating in 1957, he attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where he majored in English. During his time at university, he suffered a traumatic head injury in a car accident, which his family believes may have caused his epilepsy.
In 1959, Duel moved to New York City to study drama at the American Theater Wing school. He remained a student there until 1961, during which time he also took on various acting jobs in summer stock, road shows, and off-Broadway productions. In 1963, he moved to California, where he played one of the leads in a touring production of a Broadway comedy. It was at this time that he decided to shorten his first name from "Peter" to "Pete" and change the spelling of his surname from "Deuel" to "Duel".
In 1965, Duel landed his breakthrough role as Gidget's brother-in-law, John Cooper, in the television series Gidget. He appeared in 22 of the show's 32 episodes. After Gidget's cancellation, Duel went on to star in several other television series and feature films. Despite his success, Duel struggled with personal issues, including alcohol abuse and depression, and he took his own life on December 31, 1971.
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John Cooper's character
John Cooper, Gidget's brother-in-law, is played by Pete Duel in the TV series Gidget. John Cooper is a psychology student and the husband of Gidget's sister, Anne Cooper. In the original novel, Gidget's brother-in-law is named Larry Cooper, a child psychiatrist. However, for the television series, the character was reinvented and renamed John Cooper.
Duel appeared in 22 of the show's 32 episodes. Born Peter Ellstrom Deuel on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York, he later changed the spelling of his last name from Deuel to Duel around 1970. He attended Penfield High School, where he worked on the yearbook staff, campaigned for student government, and was a member of the National Thespians Society. After graduating in 1957, he attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, majoring in English.
Duel's early career included small guest appearances in television comedies and dramas such as Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Channing, Combat!, and Bonanza. In 1965, he landed a recurring role in the comedy series Gidget, which brought him recognition and a loyal following, especially among teenagers. After Gidget was cancelled, Duel was quickly offered another starring role in the romantic comedy series Love on a Rooftop. Despite positive reviews, this series was also cancelled after its first season.
Duel went on to star in feature films, beginning with The Hell with Heroes in 1968, followed by Generation in 1969. In 1970, he was cast in the comedy Western Alias Smith and Jones, playing the outlaw Hannibal Heyes, alias Joshua Smith. According to Quentin Tarantino, Duel was one of the inspirations for the character of Rick Dalton in the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Unfortunately, Duel's life was cut short by his sudden death on December 31, 1971, due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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John Cooper's relationships
John Cooper, Gidget's brother-in-law, was played by Pete Duel in the Gidget TV series. Born Peter Ellstrom Deuel on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York, he changed the spelling of his last name to Duel around 1970.
Duel moved to West Hollywood in 1963 and landed small guest spots on various TV series before being cast in Gidget in 1965. He played John Cooper, the husband of Gidget's sister Anne (Betty Conner). John is a psychology student, and in the show, he and Anne pay a guy $25 to "keep a big brotherly eye" on Gidget without her knowing when she goes to a surfing competition.
Duel appeared in 22 of the show's 32 episodes. After Gidget was cancelled, he was offered the starring role in another comedy series, Love on a Rooftop. Duel then signed a seven-year contract with Universal Studios in 1967 and went on to make feature films, beginning with The Hell with Heroes in 1968. He also starred in Alias Smith and Jones, a light-hearted Western, playing the outlaw Hannibal Heyes.
Duel became involved in politics during the 1968 presidential election, campaigning for Eugene McCarthy, in opposition to the Vietnam War. He died on December 31, 1971, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Other actors in Gidget
The 1959 film Gidget starred Sandra Dee in the title role, alongside James Darren and Cliff Robertson. The film was based on the novel of the same name by Frederick Kohner, which was inspired by the adventures of his teenage daughter, Kathy.
The 1965 television series Gidget starred Sally Field as Gidget, alongside Don Porter as her father, Russell Lawrence. Betty Conner played Gidget's sister Anne Cooper, and Pete Duel played her brother-in-law, John Cooper. Other cast members included Carl Reindel, Bridget Hanley, David Macklin, and Barbara Hershey.
In 1972, a telemovie titled Gidget Gets Married was released, in which Gidget marries her longtime boyfriend, Moondoggie. Monie Ellis played the title role, and Moondoggie's character was named Jeff Stevens.
In 1985, a telemovie titled Gidget's Summer Reunion was released as a follow-up to the 1965 sitcom series. It starred Caryn Richman as a grown-up version of the character played by Sally Field.
In 2000, Francis Ford Coppola staged a musical adaptation of Gidget with students from the Orange County High School for the Arts, with Krysta Rodriguez playing Gidget. In 2007, a stage play adaptation was performed at the City Lit Theater in Chicago, with Sabrina Kramnich as Gidget.
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Frequently asked questions
Pete Duel played Gidget's brother-in-law, John Cooper.
Duel was known for his starring role as the outlaw, Hannibal Heyes, in the TV series Alias Smith and Jones. Quentin Tarantino revealed that Duel was one of the inspirations for the character of Rick Dalton in the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Duel passed away on December 31, 1971, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
