Patty Duke was born Anna Marie Duke on December 14, 1946 in Elmhurst, New York, to Frances Margaret (McMahon), a cashier, and John Patrick Duke, a cab driver and handyman. She is of Irish, and one eighth German, descent. Her acting career began when she was introduced to her brother Ray Dukes managers, John and Ethel Ross. Soon after, Anna Marie became Patty, the actress. Patty started off in commercials, a few movies and some bit parts. Her first big, memorable role came when she was chosen to portray the blind and deaf Helen Keller in the Broadway version of The Miracle Worker. The play lasted almost two years, from October 19, 1959-July 1, 1961 (Patty left in May, 1961). In 1962, The Miracle Worker (1962) became a movie and Patty won an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She was 16 years old, making her the youngest person ever to win an Oscar. She then starred in her own sitcom titled The Patty Duke Show (1963). It lasted for three seasons, and Patty was nominated for an Emmy. In 1965, she starred in the movie Billie (1965). It was a success and was the first movie ever sold to a television network. That same year, she married director Harry Falk. Their marriage lasted four years. She then starred in Valley of the Dolls (1967), which was a financial but not a critical success. In 1969, she secured a part in an independent film called Me, Natalie (1969). The film was a box-office flop, but she won her second Golden Globe Award for her performance in it. In the early 1970s, she became a mother to actors Sean Astin (with writer Michael Tell) and Mackenzie Astin (with actor John Astin). In 1976, she won her second Emmy award for the highly successful mini-series, Captains and the Kings (1976). Other successful TV films followed. She received two Emmy nominations in 1978 for A Family Upside Down (1978) and Having Babies III (1978). She then won her third Emmy in the 1979 TV movie version of The Miracle Worker (1979), this time portraying Annie Sullivan. In 1982, she was diagnosed with manic-depressive illness. In 1984, she became President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). In 1986, she married Michael Pierce, a drill sergeant whom she met while preparing for a role in the TV movie, A Time to Triumph (1986). In 1987, she wrote her autobiography, Call Me Anna. In 1989, she and Mike adopted a baby, whom they named Kevin. Her autobiography became a TV movie in 1990, with Patty playing herself, from her 30s onward. In 1992, she wrote her second book, A Brilliant Madness Living with Manic Depression Illness.Anna Marie Duke had a long and successful career, winning three Emmys. She was a mother and a political advocate for issues such as the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), AIDS and nuclear disarmament, all despite having Manic-Depression. She died on March 29, 2016, in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, of sepsis from a ruptured intestine. Patty had proved her strength as an actress and as a person.
Helen Keller
Film 1962
Emily Ann Faulkner (Child)
Film 1958
Film 1989
Self
Film 1982
Lynda
Film 1958
Jean Williams
Film 1992
Billie
Film 1965
Debbie Walters
Film 1959
Dr. Peggy Wilson
Film 1977
Helen
Film 2012
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Film 1999
Anna Marie Duke/ Patty Duke
Film 1990
Self
Film 1978
Francesca Kinsolving
Film 1972
Coral
Film 1963
Faye Dolan
Film 1998
Natalie Porter
Film 1996
Barbara King
Film 1969
Anne Kincaid
Film 2001
Macy Kramer
Film 1971
Eileen Phillips
Film 1971
Anne Sullivan
Film 1979
Sunny Andrews
Film 2000
Lily
Film 1980
Wendy
Film 1978
Nancy Evans
Film 1989
Sue Grainger
Film 1979
Jean Monroe
Film 1992
Shirley Abrams
Film 1987
Liz Benedict
Film 1980
Velma Sparrow
Film 1971
Anne Capute
Film 1988
Patty Lane / Cathy Lane MacAllister
Film 1999
Annie Beiler
Film 1996
Helen
Film 1982
Laura Wilson
Film 1972
Barbara Reynolds
Film 1983
Martha Washington
Film 1986
Martha
Film 1981
Sue Davidoff
Film 1977
Terry
Film 1994
Marjorie Sutherland
Film 1959
Beth Bradfield
Film 1996
Grace McKenna
Film 1994
Sister Dulcina
Film 1983
Lucille Jenkins
Film 1993
Interviewee
Film 1967
Adelaide
Film 1974
Carole Matthews
Film 1979
Film 1986
Self
Film 2003
Irene
Film 2012
Leslee Wexler
Film 1978
Young Cathy
Film 1958
Augusta Davis
Film 1958
Charlene Summers
Film 2018
Jan Richards
Film 1974
Deborah Bergman
Film 1980
Tv 1972
Tv 1982
Self
Tv 1962
Tv 1970
Self - Narrator (voice)
Tv 1993
Tv 1973
Judge Sylvia Formenti
Tv 1999
President Julia Mansfield
Tv 1985
Self - Singer
Tv 1964
Tv 1972
Tv 1961
Tv 2009
Hannah Miller
Tv 1995
Self
Tv 1953
Karen Matthews
Tv 1987
Tv 1956
Linda Colby
Tv 1972
Tv 2001
Tv 1987
Tv 2010
Self
Tv 1993
Self
Tv 1948
Self
Tv 1961
Self
Tv 1962
Self
Tv 2001
Tv 1957
Herself - Interviewee
Tv 2000
Tv 1993
Self - Awards Custodian
Tv 1956
Self - Presenter
Tv 1956
Self
Tv 1981
Self - Guest
Tv 1968
Grandma Janice
Tv 2013
Great Aunt Hilary
Tv 2013