Ronnie Schell, Beloved 'gomer Pyle' Actor, Passes Away at 94

WHO:

Fox News - Ronnie Schell, actor known for his role in "Gomer Pyle: USMC"

TVLine - Ronnie Schell, portrayed Pvt. Duke Slater on "Gomer Pyle: USMC"

WHAT:

Fox News - Ronnie Schell died at the age of 94 of natural causes.

TVLine - The news of Schell's death was confirmed by his family.

TVLine - Schell's character Duke Slater was the best friend of Gomer for 92 episodes of "Gomer Pyle: USMC."

WHERE:

TVLine - Schell died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

WHEN:

TVLine - Schell died on a Friday.

WHY:

Fox News - The cause of death was reported as natural causes.

HOW:

TVLine - "Gomer Pyle: USMC" was a spinoff of "The Andy Griffith Show" that followed the character Gomer as he joined the Marines.

(UPDATED June 14, 2026 04:20 UTC)

Actor Ronnie Schell, best known for his role as Pvt. Duke Slater on "Gomer Pyle: USMC," has passed away at the age of 94 due to natural causes, with the news confirmed by his family. Schell's character was the best friend of Gomer, appearing in 92 episodes of the beloved series, which was a spinoff of "The Andy Griffith Show." He died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles on a Friday.