Who is Michael Tell?
Michael Tell is an American rock promoter who gained attention in the 1970s as the ex-husband of the late American actress Patty Duke. While his marriage to Duke made headlines at the time, Michael has since chosen to keep his personal life out of the public eye.
He maintains a low profile and is not active on social media, making it difficult to know much about his current whereabouts or activities. Additionally, details about his life prior to his relationship with Patty Duke, including his age, birthday, and career progression, remain undisclosed.
Michael’s Marriage to Patty Duke Ended in a Couple of Weeks
Michael Tell and Patty Duke didn’t have a lengthy courtship before deciding to get married. They tied the knot in June 1970, with reports suggesting that Patty, who was in a manic state, impulsively wed Michael, who happened to be subletting her apartment at the time.
Patty had recently discovered she was pregnant with her son before the wedding. However, their marriage lasted only 13 days, and they eventually annulled their relationship a year later.
Patty Duke Was Married Four Times
The late Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke was married a total of four times in her life. Her first marriage was to director Harry Falk in 1965, but they divorced in 1969 after just four years. Following her divorce from Falk, she married Michael Tell, which ended shortly after their wedding.
Patty then began dating actor John Astin, whom she married in 1972. They had a son named Mackenzie Astin in 1973 but divorced in 1985 after 13 years of marriage. Patty’s fourth and final marriage was to a drill sergeant named Michael Pearce in 1986, and they remained together until her death in 2016. Although they didn’t have biological children together, they did adopt a son named Kevin in 1988.
Michael Tell’s ex-Wife Patty Duke Died at 69
Patty Duke, Michael Tell’s former wife, passed away on March 29, 2016, at the age of 69. The celebrated actress, best known for her portrayal of Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker,” died due to sepsis from a ruptured intestine. Patty’s death was announced by her agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs.
Her son Sean Astin released a statement on behalf of the family, expressing their grief and celebrating her legacy as an artist, humanitarian, and advocate for mental health.
Is Michael Tell the Father of Patty’s Son Sean?
Patty Duke gave birth to her son Sean on February 25, 1971, less than a year after her marriage to Michael Tell ended. For a long time, there was speculation about Sean’s paternity, with many assuming that Michael was his father.
However, Patty had relationships with multiple men around that time, including John Astin. Eventually, Patty concluded that John Astin was Sean’s biological father, and they kept their relationship a secret initially due to John’s previous marriage. They eventually married in 1972 after John divorced his first wife.
Years later, when Sean was 14, Patty revealed that his real father was Desi Arnaz Jr., who already had two daughters from a previous relationship. This led Sean to develop a relationship with Arnaz.
However, around the age of 26, Sean encountered a relative of Michael Tell who claimed they were somehow related. Curious to discover his true biological father, Sean underwent a DNA test, which confirmed that Michael Tell was indeed his biological father. In a 2001 interview with People, Sean stated, “If you want to know who I am, John Astin is my father, Michael Tell is my biological father.”
