Who Is Michael Tell? Truth About His Son with Ex-Wife Patty Duke

Michael Tell is an American rock promoter. He is famously known as the ex-husband of late American actress Patty Duke. The couple’s marriage in the early ’70s made headlines after they parted their ways shortly after walking down the aisle.

Even though it’s been decades since the couple parted ways, Duke’s fans are still curious to know about Michael. So what is Michael Tell doing currently? Where is he? Did he marry after his unsuccessful marriage to Patty?

Who is Michael Tell?

Michael rose to the limelight in the ’70s after he married famous actress Patty Duke. After their relationship ended, Michael has been keeping his lifestyle entirely out of the media. He hasn’t been active on social media as well which has made his lifestyle a mystery.

Furthermore, there aren’t any details regarding his life before he met The Miracle Worker actress. His age, birthday, and his career growth are also under the media radar as of yet.

Michael’s Marriage to Patty Duke Ended in a Couple of Weeks

Michael didn’t date actress Duke for a long time before he tied the knot with her. Michael and Patty got married in June 1970. As per the sources, the Academy Award-winning actress married Michael in a manic state. She impulsively wed Michael who had been subletting her apartment.

People reported Patty had just found out she was pregnant with her son prior to she exchanged vows with Michael. Michael and Duke separated just 13 days after their marriage and they annulled their relationship a year later.

Patty Duke Was Married Four Times

Late Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke was married four times in her lifetime. She was first married to director, Harry Falk in 1965. Her first husband was 13 years her senior. Just four years after their nuptials, they divorced in 1969.

After her first divorce, Patty tied the knot with Michael Tell which ended just 13 days later. Following the unsuccessful second marriage, Patty started dating actor John Astin whom she married in 1972. They gave birth to a son, actor Mackenzie Astin in 1973. Patty and Astin ended their marriage 13 years later in 1985.

Patty’s fourth marriage was with a drill sergeant, Michael Pearce. They married in 1986 and remained together as husband and wife until her death in 2016. The couple didn’t give birth to any child, however, they adopted a son, Kevin who was born in 1988.

Michael Tell’s ex-wife Patty Duke Died at 69

Michael’s former wife Patty Duke died on 29 March 2016 at the age of 69. Patty, who is famous for her portrayal of Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine.

Patty’s agent Mitchell K. Stubbs announced her death. Meanwhile, Patty’s son, Sean Astin released a statement on behalf of the family that read:

“This morning, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, matriarch and the exquisite artist, humanitarian, and champion for mental health, Anna PATTY DUKE Pearce, closed her eyes, quieted her pain and ascended to a beautiful place.”

The statement continued,

“We celebrate the infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and compassion throughout her life.”

Previously, Duke battled bipolar disorder in 1982.

Born Anna Marie Duke on December 14, 1946, in Elmhurst, New York. She started acting in her childhood and her first major role came in 1959 when she portrayed Helen Keller on Broadway.

Is Michael the Father of Patty’s Son Sean?

Actress Patty Duke gave birth to her son Sean on 25 February 1971. Patty gave birth to her son less than a year after her marriage to Michael Tell ended. So, many of her fans considered Michael as the father of Sean for years.

In the meantime, Patty’s relationship with Tell lasted just a few days and she also had relationships with a couple of other men at the time. So there was confusion about who Sean’s real father was.

Patty ultimately came to the conclusion that actor John Astin was the father of her baby, Sean. The actor was married at the time so they kept their relationship secret for a while. After he divorced his first wife, Suzanne Hahn, John and Patty married in 1972.

Years later, when Sean was 14, his mother Duke confessed that his real father was Desi Arnaz Jr., who already had two daughters Haley Arnaz and Julia Arnaz. After that, actor Sean Astin went on to make his relationship better with Arnaz. Meanwhile, when Sean was around 26, he met a relative of Tell’s who said they were somehow related.

Following that, Sean determined to find out his biological father and underwent a DNA test between him and three of the possible men. The paternity test showed Michael Tell was his biological father. People reported Sean told the outlet in 2001 that “If you want to know who I am, John Astin is my father, Michael Tell is my biological father.”

Where is Michael Tell Now?

Michael is still alive and living a healthy lifestyle. Talking about his current whereabouts, Tell currently lives in Las Vegas, with his family members.