Patty Duke was one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation.
She rose to fame as a child star, playing the role of Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, for which she won an Oscar at the age of 16.
Patty later starred in her own sitcom, The Patty Duke Show, and many other films and TV shows.
She died on March 29, 2016, at the age of 69, from sepsis caused by a ruptured intestine.
In this article, we will pay tribute to her life and legacy, and answer some of the most common questions about her.
How old was Patty Duke?
Patty Duke was born on December 14, 1946, in New York City.
Her birth name was Anna Marie Duke, but she changed it to Patty when she started her acting career.
She was the youngest of three children of Frances and John Duke, who were both of Irish descent.
She had a difficult childhood, as her father was an alcoholic and her mother suffered from depression.
When she was eight years old, she was taken under the wing of talent managers John and Ethel Ross, who exploited and abused her.
She later broke free from their control and became an independent actress.
How did Patty Duke get sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs.
It can lead to organ failure and death if not treated promptly.
Patty Duke developed sepsis after suffering from a ruptured intestine, which is a rare but serious complication of intestinal disorders.
She had been suffering from abdominal pain for several days before she was admitted to a hospital in Idaho, where she lived with her husband Michael Pearce.
She died on March 29, 2016, surrounded by her family.
Was Patty Duke married when she died?
Patty Duke was married four times in her life.
Her first husband was Harry Falk, a director whom she married in 1965 when she was 18 years old.
They divorced in 1969.
Her second husband was Michael Tell, a writer whom she married in 1970, but annulled their marriage after 13 days.
Her third husband was John Astin, an actor whom she married in 1972, and adopted his son David Astin.
They had two sons together, Sean Astin and Mackenzie Astin, who are both actors as well.
They divorced in 1985.
Her fourth and final husband was Michael Pearce, a drill sergeant whom she met while preparing for a role in a TV movie.
They married in 1986 and adopted a son named Kevin Pearce.
They remained married until she died in 2016.
Did Patty Duke ever have any children?
Patty Duke had three biological children and two adopted children.
Her first biological child was Sean Astin, who was born on February 25, 1971.
His biological father was Michael Tell, but he was raised by John Astin as his son.
He is best known for his roles in The Goonies, Rudy, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Her second biological child was Mackenzie Astin, who was born on May 12, 1973.
His father was John Astin.
He is also an actor, who appeared in The Facts of Life, Iron Will, and The Magicians.
Her third biological child was Kevin Pearce, who was born on June 15, 1988.
He was adopted by Patty Duke and Michael Pearce when he was a baby.
He is not involved in show business.
Patty Duke also adopted two children from John Astin’s previous marriage: David Astin (born on March 7, 1952) and Allen Astin (born on February 23, 1956).
They are both actors as well.
What was Patty Duke’s cause of death?
Patty Duke died from sepsis caused by a ruptured intestine on March 29, 2016.
She had been suffering from abdominal pain for several days before she was hospitalized in Idaho.
She underwent surgery to repair the rupture but developed sepsis as a complication.
Sepsis is a condition that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection and causes damage to its own organs and tissues.
It can lead to organ failure and death if not treated quickly and effectively.
What was Patty Duke most famous for?
Patty Duke was most famous for her role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, both on Broadway and on film.
She played the role of the blind and deaf girl who learned to communicate with the help of her teacher Annie Sullivan, played by Anne Bancroft.
She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film version in 1962, becoming the youngest person ever to win an Academy Award at the age of 16.
Patty later reprised the role of Annie Sullivan in a TV movie version of The Miracle Worker in 1979, opposite Melissa Gilbert as Helen Keller.
She won an Emmy for her performance, making her one of the few actors to win an Oscar and an Emmy for playing the same character.
Patty Duke was also famous for her sitcom The Patty Duke Show, which ran from 1963 to 1966.
She played the dual role of identical cousins Patty and Cathy Lane, who had opposite personalities and lifestyles.
The show was a hit with audiences and critics and earned her an Emmy nomination.
She also sang the theme song of the show, which became a popular record.
Patty Duke had many other notable roles in films and TV shows, such as Valley of the Dolls, Me, Natalie, Captains and the Kings, The Women’s Room, Billie, and Amazing Love.
She was also a singer and an author, releasing several albums and books.
Patty was a mental health advocate, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982.
She wrote about her experience and raised awareness about the condition.
Patty was also involved in various social and political causes, such as the Equal Rights Amendment, AIDS, and nuclear disarmament.
She was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988.
Conclusion
Patty Duke was a legendary actress and a mental health advocate who left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and society.
She overcame many challenges and hardships in her life and used her talent and fame to inspire and help others.
She was loved and admired by many fans and colleagues, who mourned her death in 2016.
Patty is survived by her husband Michael Pearce, her five children, and her ten grandchildren.
She will always be remembered as a star who shone brightly on stage and screen, and as a person who fought for a better world.
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