The WOW Report

  • WOW Report
  • RuPaul’s DragCon
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!
  • WOW Presents Plus
  • What to Watch
    • Backyard Envy
    • Dancing Queen
    • Fashion Photo RuView
    • Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
    • Ministry of Evil
    • UNHhhh
    • Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race
  • Store
You are here: Home / Entertainment / Celebs / #RIP: Oscar-Winning Actress, Patty Duke

#RIP: Oscar-Winning Actress, Patty Duke

By Trey Speegle on March 29, 2016 10:37 am

Patty Duke Neely OHara

12901475_10153865114825218_5048969603765351272_oOscar-winning actress Patty Duke, who was a hit on both big and small screens, is dead.

As the Queens-born daughter of a cashier and alcoholic cab driver, Duke overcame a troubled childhood to become one of the Hollywood’s most respected actresses. Born Anna Marie Duke in Dec. 14, 1946, Duke was one of three children. Her career was launched at 8 when her mother, unable to cope with the kids, turned her over to talent scouts John and Ethel Ross, who saw something special in the perky young girl.

Duke shot to fame in the 60’s as the star of The Patty Duke Show, which ran for three seasons, where she played her rambunctious self, as well as her more demure “identical cousin.”

Duke made her Broadway debut at age 12 playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker and three years later, at age 16, she won the best supporting actress Academy Award reprising her role as the young Helen in the celebrated 1962 screen adaptation of the play. In 1979, Duke won an Emmy playing Keller’s teacher — the role originally played on Broadway by Anne Bancroft — in a TV version of the same play.

Patty Duke as Helen Keller with Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan in "The Miracle Worker"

Patty Duke as Helen Keller with Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker”

In ’67 Duke landed her most iconic role (for gay audiences especially) as the hot mess, Neely O’Hara in Valley of the Dolls. (See what I mean, below…)

Duke was also president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988. (Btw, the current headquarters for World of Wonder in Hollywood was once the former home of the Screen Actor’s Guild, so Duke likely wandered those hallways…)

Duke was married four times; she is survived by her last husband, Michael Pearce, and their son, Kevin Pearce.

She devoted her later years to championing mental health programs and raising her three sons, two of whom — Sean Astin (of Lord of the Rings fame) and Mackenzie Astin — followed in their mother’s footsteps and became actors too.

Patty Duke was 69.

(via NBC News)

Show the love:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Filed Under: Celebs, Entertainment, Life, Movies, News, RIP, TV & Video

More

#BornThisDay: Gay Icon, Ethel Merman

#BornThisDay: Gay Icon, Ethel Merman

by Stephen Rutledge on January 16, 2021 3:03 am

Sarah Jessica Parker! Nicole Kidman! Kamala Harris! It’s the WOW Report for Radio Andy!

Sarah Jessica Parker! Nicole Kidman! Kamala Harris! It’s the WOW Report for Radio Andy!

by Blake Jacobs on January 15, 2021 4:16 pm

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Trending


Supercut of Trumpers Freaking TF Out After Being Put On the “No-Fly” List. Watch

UPDATE: Armie Hammer’s Ex Courtney Vucekovitch Says “He Wanted to Barbecue and Eat Me”

Federal Officials Searching for Person Who Carved “TRUMP” onto the Back of a Mantee

An Angry & Embarrassed Trump Calls Capitol Rioters “Cheap and Poor”

Anna Wintour Defends Disrespectful Kamala Harris Cover: “It Was Not Our Intention to Diminish… Her Incredible Victory”

About

From the creators of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster, Million Dollar Listing, RuPaul's Drag Race, I Am Britney Jean, Big Freedia, and more.

Stacey Abrams! Kimye! Chaos at the Capitol! Georgia Goes Blue! It’s the WOW Report for Radio Andy!
The Top Ten Things You May Have Forgotten Happened in 2020!
“Santa Fa La La” from “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special” is a Sexy Xmas R&B Grind. Watch
Tom Cruise! Meryl Streep! James Corden! Ann Reinking! Harry & Meghan! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Check Out Big Freedia’s XXXmas Wishlist in “Better Be” feat. Flo Milli

© 2019 World of Wonder Productions, Inc | World of Wonder is a trademark of World of Wonder Productions, Inc | Privacy

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in