If you grew up in the early seventies, you probably remember that catchy opening narration. Two outlaws, Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry, trying to go straight. They were the most successful outlaws in the history of the West, but they never shot anyone. It was a breezy, fun show that felt like a weekly version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. But behind the scenes, the stars of Alias Smith and Jones were dealing with a level of drama and tragedy that the writers could never have scripted.
Honestly, the chemistry between Pete Duel and Ben Murphy was like lightning in a bottle. You can't just manufacture that kind of rapport. It was effortless. It’s the reason the show is still a cult favorite more than fifty years later. But for all the smiles on screen, the story of how the show lived and died is one of the most sobering chapters in television history.
The Magic of Pete Duel and Ben Murphy
Pete Duel played Hannibal Heyes, the brains of the operation. He had this incredible, mischievous grin and a way of delivering lines that made you feel like you were in on the joke. Before he was the lead in a Western, he’d been in sitcoms like Gidget and Love on a Rooftop. He was a serious actor who actually wanted to do deeper work, but he was so good at the lighthearted stuff that he became a massive TV star.
Then you had Ben Murphy as Kid Curry. He was the fast-draw expert with the Paul Newman looks. Seriously, the resemblance was uncanny. Murphy was a studio contract player at Universal who just happened to fit the vibe perfectly. Unlike some co-stars who clash, Murphy and Duel got along famously. They didn't even have to talk about how to play a scene; they just did it. That "effortless marriage" of acting styles is what made the show a hit.
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The Night Everything Changed
Everything was going great until New Year's Eve, 1971. That’s the date that fundamentally broke the show. Pete Duel was struggling. He had a problem with alcohol and was reportedly dealing with deep depression. He was also a guy who cared a lot about politics and the world, and the grind of a weekly TV series—which meant twelve to fourteen-hour days—was wearing him down.
In the early hours of that morning, Pete Duel took his own life in his Hollywood Hills home. He was only 31. His girlfriend, Dianne Ray, was there. They’d been watching the show together earlier that night. It was a shock that hit the industry like a freight train.
But here is where things get really controversial. Hollywood is a business, and sometimes it's a cold one. Within hours of Duel’s death, the producers were already looking for a replacement. They didn't even give the cast or crew a day to grieve.
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Enter Roger Davis: The Impossible Task
Roger Davis was already part of the show’s family. He was the one narrating those opening credits every week. He’d even guest-starred in an episode called "Smiler with a Gun." Because he was a friend of Pete’s and already knew the production, the executives decided he was the only choice to take over the role of Hannibal Heyes.
Imagine that for a second. You get a call saying your friend is dead, and then you're told you have to be at the studio the next day to put on his clothes and say his lines. It was a brutal situation.
Ben Murphy later spoke about how uncomfortable the whole thing was. He was shocked at how fast the studio "rubbed out" the memory of Pete. Roger Davis did his absolute best, and he was a talented actor, but the audience just wasn't ready. The shadow of Pete Duel was too big. The ratings started to slide, and by early 1973, the show was canceled.
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Why the Show Still Matters
Even though it ended in tragedy, Alias Smith and Jones remains a masterclass in tone. It proved you could have a Western that was funny without being a total parody. The guest stars were a "who's who" of Hollywood legends: Burl Ives, Vera Miles, Sally Field, and even Louis Gossett Jr. showed up.
If you go back and watch the episodes now, you can see the nuance. Pete Duel wasn't just playing a cowboy; he was playing a man who desperately wanted a second chance at life. There’s a layer of melancholy there that feels very real in hindsight.
Quick Facts about the Stars
- Pete Duel changed the spelling of his last name from Deuel to Duel in 1970.
- Ben Murphy was so convinced by the script's quality that he signed on almost immediately after his first reading.
- Roger Davis had to reshoot several scenes that Pete Duel had already finished for upcoming episodes to ensure continuity.
- The show was produced by Glen A. Larson, the same mind behind Battlestar Galactica and Knight Rider.
What to Do if You're a Fan Today
If you want to really understand the legacy of the stars of Alias Smith and Jones, you shouldn't just stick to the TV show. There are a few ways to get a deeper look at what made these actors tick.
- Watch "The Young Country": This 1970 TV movie was the unofficial pilot. It stars Roger Davis and Pete Duel together, and you can see the raw chemistry that led to the series.
- Look for the DVD sets: Unlike some old shows that are lost to time, the complete series is available. The first season, in particular, captures the show at its peak.
- Visit Memorial Sites: Fans have kept Pete Duel’s memory alive for decades. There are dedicated archives that collect his poetry and personal stories, offering a much more human look at the man behind the outlaw.
The show was a victim of terrible timing and a tragedy that couldn't be overcome, but for those two years, it was something special. It was about friendship, redemption, and the hope that you can leave your past behind—even if you have to change your name to Smith or Jones to do it.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you are interested in the transition between the two eras of the show, watch the episode "The Men That Corrupted Hadleyburg." It is the final episode featuring Pete Duel. Compare it immediately with "The Biggest Game in the West," which was Roger Davis’s first full episode as Heyes. Observing the shift in chemistry and tone provides a unique look at how a production adapts to a sudden, massive change in its core cast.