Patty Duke's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) The Patty Duke Show Patty Lane Cathy Lane It Takes Two Molly Quinn J.J. Starbuck Verna Mckid… Later with Bob Costas Patty Duke Matt Lincoln Sheila Tattletales Patty Duke The United States Steel Hour Kathy Amazing Grace Hannah Miller Karen's Song Karen Matth… Kitty Foyle Molly Schar… The ABC Afternoon Playbreak Melanie Kline

Main Movie Roles 1992 - Prelude to a Kiss 1986 - Willy/Milly 1978 - The Swarm 1967 - Valley of the Dolls 1962 - The Miracle Worker 1959 - 4D Man 1958 - The Goddess

BIOGRAPHY:

Born on December 14, 1946, in Elmhurst, New York, as Anna Marie Duke. Her acting career began when she was introduced to her brother Ray Duke's 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 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) (TV) and Having Babies III (1978) (TV). She then won her third Emmy in the 1979 TV movie version of The Miracle Worker (1979) (TV), 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) (TV). 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 has had a long and successful career, winning three Emmys. She is a mother, a political advocate for issues such as the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), AIDS and nuclear disarmament, all despite having Manic-Depression. She has proven her strength as an actress and as a person.


TRIVIA:

• Born at 10:39 PM EST.
• Her second marriage to Michael Tell came about suddenly during a particular virulent manic attack, ignited by a broken romance with 'Desi Arnaz Jr.' (qv). The marriage lasted 13 days.
• Has a gold record, 1965's "Please, Just Don't Stand There" in addition to her acting awards.
• (1985-1988) President of Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
• Mother of actors 'Sean Astin' (qv) and 'Mackenzie Astin' (qv)
• Although she had been on stage and in film for over five years at the time she appeared in _Valley of the Dolls (1967)_ (qv), she said it was her co-star 'Sharon Tate (I)' (qv) who taught her how to use make-up to her best advantage.
• Sister of 'Ray Duke' (qv) and Carol Duke. Patty is the youngest of the three.
• Spoke at the memorial service for her beloved friend and mentor, Miss 'Anne Bancroft (I)' (qv), in June 2005.