The story of Michael Tell and his son, Sean Astin, is one of unexpected discovery and bonding. Their connection was revealed through DNA testing, turning a decades-old mystery into a family reunion.
Patty Duke gave birth to Sean on February 25, 1971. At that time, she had recently ended a brief, tumultuous marriage with Tell, which lasted only 13 days.
Many believed Michael was Sean’s father due to the timing, but Duke’s relationships with other men added confusion. Eventually, Patty concluded that John Astin, with whom she had a secret relationship, was Sean’s father. This belief led to their marriage in 1972, after Astin divorced his first wife.
Sean grew up thinking Astin was his father. However, when he was 14, his mother revealed that Desi Arnaz Jr. was his biological father. This prompted Sean to build a relationship with Arnaz.
The story took another twist when Sean, at 26, met Michael’s niece at L.A. City College. She hinted at a possible connection, leading Sean to undergo a DNA test involving all three men.
In a 2018 interview, Michael fondly recalled this chance encounter and expressed his pride in the results, saying, “We did a DNA test, and I’m the proud biological father of the famous actor Sean Astin.”
Michael spoke warmly about their bond. “We get along great,” he expressed. He also shared his affection for Sean’s three daughters, particularly mentioning the eldest, Ali Astin.
A heartfelt gesture marked their first meeting as father and son. Michael flew to L.A. to present Sean with gifts for his newborn daughter, cementing their newfound relationship. Despite the unconventional way they discovered their bond, Michael and Sean developed a close relationship filled with mutual respect and affection.
Patty Duke, however, remained skeptical about the DNA test results, holding on to her belief in John Astin’s paternity.
Michael and Patty’s Relationship Ended Within Weeks
In her 1987 autobiography Call Me Anna, Duke recounted meeting Michael Tell in June 1970 when he inquired about subletting her apartment. They initially bonded over their discussions about the apartment, and despite no immediate romance, they developed a friendship. As they spent more time together, Tell began showing signs of interest in Duke, and they decided to get engaged.
Duke, 23, and Tell, 25, married on June 24, 1970, at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, using a borrowed ring for the ceremony. Despite the seemingly positive start, their relationship quickly unraveled, lasting only 13 days before they separated. However, they only annulled their marriage a year later.
Besides Tell, the late Oscar-winning actress was also married to Harry Falk, John Astin, and Michael Pearce.
Tell’s Grandparents Immigrated From Europe
Michael’s family history reflects the resilience and dreams of immigrants. His maternal grandparents met on the boat from Poland to Ellis Island and eventually married after their arrival in the United States.
They settled in North Bergen, New Jersey, where Michael’s mother, Beatrice Tell (née Goldstein), was raised. Beatrice worked as a talented shoe saleswoman in a store owned by her father, Charles Goldstein.
On his father’s side, Michael’s grandparents hailed from Austria. His dad, Jack Tell, started as a publicity director and rose to become the picture editor for the New York City Times.
Michael’s family practiced conservative Judaism, and he had his bar mitzvah at their local temple. He grew up with two brothers. One worked as a pit boss at Caesars Palace and has since passed away. His other brother resides in Los Angeles and pursued a career in the stamp and coin business.
High School, College, and Early Work Experience
Michael attended Reno High School for the first part of his senior year, then transferred to Las Vegas High School for the latter part. During his time at Reno High, he commuted daily to work on the newspaper, which he loved. His office and his father’s office were in the Mark Twain Museum.
After high school, Michael attended Nevada Southern University, which is now known as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). However, he left before graduating to pursue his career in concert promotion.
As a teenager in Las Vegas in 1961, Michael started a teenage nightclub called the Twin Lakes Twist at Twin Lakes Lodge. His persuasive skills were on display when he convinced Bobby Darin to perform for free, which subsequently brought in Wayne Newton. The nightclub’s first weekend was a huge success, netting Michael ten thousand dollars, allowing him to support his family.
After Working as a Concert Promoter For Over Two Decades, Michael Returned to His Father’s Business.
Michael’s success with the Twin Lakes Twist nightclub launched his career as a concert promoter. He advertised his events on KENO Radio and quickly made a name for himself, booking big acts like James Brown and promoting concerts under the banner of “a Mike Tell production.”
His rising fame caught the attention of Sam Riddle from KHJ Radio in Los Angeles, who encouraged him to move to L.A. Michael followed this advice and became the fifth largest concert promoter in the United States, booking iconic artists like Jimi Hendrix and José Feliciano.
Despite his success, Michael’s career as a concert promoter was not without its challenges. The turning point came during a concert with Al Green and The Dramatics in Bakersfield.
When The Dramatics were unable to perform, the event’s backer, a gynecologist, threatened Michael’s life if the show did not go on as planned. Michael managed to resolve the situation by arranging a Learjet to fly The Dramatics from San Diego to Bakersfield, but the experience left a lasting impact.
Ultimately, the combination of this harrowing experience and the passing of his father on August 26, 1979, who left no insurance for his mother, prompted Michael to leave the concert promotion business. He returned to Las Vegas later that year to take over the Las Vegas Israelite, ensuring he could support his family and provide stability for his mother.
Michael, married to his Colombian wife, continues to uphold the Jewish legacy established by his father through his work with the Las Vegas Israelite.
