Anne-Marie McCormack

Anna Marie Duke, professionally known as Patty Duke, was an American actress born in 1946. She achieved early fame playing Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker" on Broadway and in the subsequent film, for which she won an Academy Award. Her career continued with iconic roles, including the dual characters in "The Patty Duke Show." Duke transitioned to more mature roles in films like "Valley of the Dolls" and "Me, Natalie," earning a Golden Globe for the latter.

Beyond her acting, Duke was a significant figure in advocacy. After her diagnosis with bipolar disorder in 1982, she dedicated considerable effort to public education and advocacy for mental health awareness. She also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988. Duke's career spanned decades, earning her numerous awards, including an Oscar, Golden Globes, and Primetime Emmys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She passed away in 2016.

Born Anna Marie Duke in New York City, her early life was marked by challenging family circumstances, including an alcoholic father and a mother with clinical depression. At the age of eight, her care was entrusted to talent managers John and Ethel Ross. The Rosses managed her career in an exploitative manner, manipulating her age, falsifying her resume, and subjecting her to substance abuse and sexual advances. They also insisted she change her name to Patty Duke, aiming to emulate the success of Patty McCormack. Duke's early professional experiences included appearances on "The Brighter Day" soap opera and print advertisements. A notable early event was her participation in the rigged game show "The $64,000 Question" in 1959, where she won $32,000 but later testified before the Senate, admitting she had been coached to lie.

Patty Duke's career breakthrough came with her portrayal of Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker," a role she originated on Broadway and later reprised in the 1962 film adaptation, earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the young age of 16. This made her one of the youngest competitive Oscar winners at the time. She then starred in "The Patty Duke Show," playing identical cousins with contrasting personalities, a concept inspired by her own perceived dual nature. The show ran from 1963 to 1966 and was a significant success. Duke continued to take on more mature roles, notably as Neely O'Hara in "Valley of the Dolls" (1967), a performance that, while contributing to the film's camp status, initially challenged her established image. Her role in "Me, Natalie" (1969) earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Following "The Patty Duke Show," Duke navigated a career transition into adult roles, earning critical acclaim and awards. She won her first Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the TV movie "My Sweet Charlie" (1970), though her acceptance speech, perceived as rambling, hinted at undiagnosed struggles. She received two more Emmy Awards for her work in "Captains and the Kings" (1977) and a TV version of "The Miracle Worker" (1980). In 1982, Duke was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This diagnosis marked a turning point, leading her to become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness and education. She served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988, a period marked by significant union activities and negotiations. Duke continued acting in film, television, and stage productions throughout her later years, reducing her schedule in the 2000s but still taking on occasional roles and directing.