Veteran actor Geoffrey Deuel, best known for his role as Billy the Kid in the 1970 John Wayne Western Chisum, died at age 81. Deuel died on December 22 in hospice care in Largo, Florida after suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife Jacqueline confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Deuel enjoyed an acting career that lasted from the 1960s to the 1970s, making him a staple on television. He appeared in successful series like The Monkees, The Invaders, Mission: Impossible, The FBI, Adam-12, Mannix, The Mod Squad, Ironside, The Streets of San Francisco, and the soap The Young and the Restless. His portrayal of Billy the Kid demonstrated his prowess in bringing historical and legendary characters to life, guaranteeing his position in the Hollywood golden age of Westerns.
Born on January 17, 1943, in Lockport, New York, Geoffrey Jacob Deuel grew up in the neighbouring town of Penfield. His parents, Ellsworth and Lillian, were very much entrenched in the healthcare field; his father was a doctor and his mother a nurse. It is perhaps because of this nurturing environment that Deuel kept his feet firmly on the ground and pursued education along with his artistic endeavours.
Deuel had been acting throughout the 1980s, also doing theatre at Ybor City, a famous part of Tampa. Pursuing greater personal development led him to go back into academics. He received a master’s degree from the University of South Florida and soon transitioned into serving as a substitute teacher-impacting lives of later generations.
Beyond his professional life, Deuel was known for his long-lasting relationship with Jacqueline whom he finally married in 2017 after four decades and more. His quiet, steadfast character and his loving bond to her were also cherished by the people who knew him close.
Deuel’s legacy lives through his performances, which were memorable and impactful contributions both to the arts and education. Fans remember him not as an actor but as a man of resilience and versatility.
