Born on December 14, 1946 in Elmhurst, NY, as Anna Marie Duke. Her
acting career began when she was introduced to her brother'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 2 years, from
October 19, 1959 - July 1, 1961 (Patty left on May, 1961). In 1962
_Miracle Worker, The (1962)_ (qv) 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 entitled _"Patty Duke Show, The" (1963)_
(qv). It lasted for 3 seasons and Patty was nominated for an Emmy.
In 1965 Patty starred in the movie _Billie (1965)_ (qv). The film
was a success and was the first movie ever sold to a television
network. That same year Patty married Harry Falk. Their marriage
lasted four years. She then starred in _Valley of The Dolls (1967)_
(qv) which was a financial success but not a critical success. In
1969 Anna got a part in an independent film called _Me, Natalie
(1969)_ (qv). The film was a box-office flop but she won her second
Golden Globe Award for her performance in the film. During this
time Patty had an affair with John Astin and became pregnant with
his child. In 1976, Patty Duke won her second Emmy award for the
highly successful mini-series, _"Captains and the Kings" (1976)
(mini)_ (qv). Other successful TV-films followed. She received two
Emmy nominations in 1978 for _Family Upside Down, A (1978) (TV)_
(qv) and _Having Babies III (1978) (TV)_ (qv). She then won her
third Emmy in the 1979 TV movie version of Miracle Worker, The
(1979) (TV)_ (qv) this time portraying Annie Sullivan. In 1982
Patty was diagnosed with manic-depressive illness. In 1984 she
became President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). In 1986 Anna
married Michael Pierce, a drill sergeant whom she met while
preparing for a role in the TV movie _Time to Triumph, A (1986)
(TV)_ (qv). In 1987 Anna wrote her autobiography Call Me Anna. In
1989, Anna and Mike adopted a baby, who they called Kevin. Her
autobiography became a TV movie in 1990. Anna played herself from
her 30s until current time. In 1992 she wrote her second book A
Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depression Illness. Anna Marie
Duke has had a long successful career, winning three Emmys. She is
a mother, a political activist 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.
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