Remembering Patty Duke * March 29, 2016

Anna Marie "Patty" Duke (December 14, 1946 - March 29, 2016) was an American actress of stage, film and television. She first became famous as a teen star, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 16 for her role in The Miracle Worker, which she had originated on Broadway. She later starred in the sitcom, The Patty Duke Show. She progressed to more mature roles upon playing Neely O'Hara in the 1967 film Valley of the Dolls. She served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988, four years after her Patty Duke Show co-star William Schallert held the same office.
Duke was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982, after which she devoted much of her time to advocating and educating the public on mental health issues.
In 1996, 30 years after The Patty Duke Show ended, Duke was ranked #40 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.