Born: December 14, 1946 - Elmhurst, New York, USA 
Born on December 14, 1946 in Elmhurst, New York, as Anna Marie Duke. Her acting career began when she was introduced to her brother, Ray Duke'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, The Miracle Worker (1962) 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 "The Patty Duke Show" (1963). It lasted for 3 seasons and Patty was nominated for an Emmy. In 1965, Patty starred in the movie Billie (1965). 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) which was a financial success but not a critical success. In 1969, Anna got a part in an independent film called Me, Natalie (1969). 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). Other successful TV-films followed. She received two Emmy nominations in 1978 for A Family Upside Down (1978) (TV) and Having Babies III (1978) (TV). She then won her third Emmy in the 1979 TV movie version of The Miracle Worker (1979) (TV), 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 A Time to Triumph (1986) (TV). 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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