Geoffrey Deuel, ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘Chisum’ star, dead at 81
Actor Geoffrey Deuel, known for his work on “The Young and the Restless” and in John Wayne’s western “Chisum,” has died at the age of 81.
Deuel passed away on Sunday in hospice care in Largo, Florida, following a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to his wife Jacqueline Deuel, who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter.
Jacqueline also posted about her husband’s passing on the late actor’s Facebook page.
“This is Jacqueline, Geoffrey’s wife. At midnight last night Geoffrey passed away and is with Peter,” she wrote on Monday, referring to the actor’s late brother. “God took my ‘knight in shining armor’ gently.”
Deuel’s breakout performance came in 1970 when he starred alongside John Wayne as Billy the Kid in the western drama “Chisum.” Earlier this year, his lauded portrayal was named the 10th greatest on-screen depiction of the legendary outlaw by ScreenRant.
In 1971, Deuel’s brother Peter, who was also an actor, booked a role playing another outlaw from the old west, Hannibal Heyes (aka Joshua Smith), on the ABC series “Alias Smith and Jones.”
But tragedy struck on New Year’s Eve of that year when Peter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“He and Peter were very close,” Jacqueline told THR. “They really loved each other and took care of each other.”
“You don’t ever get over a shock like that,” Deuel remarked in a 2018 interview.
Born on Jan. 17, 1943, Deuel’s first on-screen role was as a pilot in a 1966 episode of the TV series “12 O’Clock High.”
He continued working in TV and film throughout the 1960s and into the ’70s and ’80s.
In 1973, he began a four-year run on the popular daytime soap opera “The Young and the Restless” as Dave Campbell.
He appeared on several other popular TV shows of the era, including “The Occasional Wife,” “The Monkees,” “The Invaders,” “The Flying Nun,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Mannix,” “Planet of the Apes,” “The Mod Squad,” “The FBI,” “Mission: Impossible,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Ironside,” and “Cannon,” among others.
In addition to “Chisum,” Deuel’s film credits included “Terminal Island,” “The Chinese Caper,” “Amateur Night,” “108 Stitches,” plus many TV movies.
“Geoffrey Deuel lived a prosperous life distinguished by his notable accomplishments, the love he gave, and the love he received from those around him,” his obituary posted on EverLoved.com read. “His kindness, his significant contributions to the acting world, and his caring personality will forever echo in the hearts of the many lives he touched.”
“May he rest in eternal peace, knowing that his legacy will forever remain alive and cherished,” the dedication continued.
Deuel is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and younger sister, Pamela, per THR.
