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Duke Slater was the true ''straight man'' of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C
We can't all be weirdos.
Look, we can't all be the quirky main character. Some of us have to play the straight man against all of the wacky personalities around us - and there's nothing wrong with that. The straight man keeps one foot firmly on the ground. More importantly, a straight man in a television series keeps a more realistic outlook and offers a connection to the audience.
Obviously, in a show like Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Gomer, played by Jim Nabors, takes on the title of "resident weirdo."
At first, one might assume that Vince Carter may play the straight man against Gomer. However, as the series went on, the character, played by Frank Sutton, paved his own way into absurdity.
In reality, if there was ever a straight man in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., it was Duke Slater, played by Ronnie Schell.
Schell was aware of the purpose his character served on the show.
"The series is based on two irregular guys against a normal world - Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton," said Schell during an interview with The San Francisco Examiner. "Everyone can't be a kook, so to balance that, they have someone sedate, sensible, conservative. That's me."
The actor actually considered himself lucky to be on the series, as it gave him an education like no other.
"It's been good for me because I've learned about acting, about camera work," said Schell. "Not to mention four years of residuals. And I've never really complained because I've still had plenty of time to play clubs and concerts."
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