Patty Duke, who became an iconic teenage star with legions of fans from her hit TV series The Patty Duke Show,passed awayearlier today at the age of 69. Her repMitchell Stubbsconfirmed toABC Newsthat the actress died from sepsis from a ruptured intestine. Here’s what the actress' family had to say in a statement aboutPatty Duke’s passing.
“This morning, our beloved mother, wife, matriarch and the exquisite artist, humanitarian, and champion for mental health, AnnaPatty DukePearce, closed her eyes, quieted her pain and ascended to a beautiful place. We celebrate the infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and throughout her life.”
Patty Dukewas born Anna Marie Duke on July 17, 2025 in Elmhurst, New York, to Frances (McMahon), a cashier, and John Brock Duke, a cab driver and handyman. She started performing at a young age, with bit parts in commercials and movies before she landed the iconic role of Helen Keller in the Broadway play The Miracle Worker in 1959. She went on to reprise her role as Helen in the movieadaptation, winning anOscarfor Best Supporting Actress at the age of 16, becoming the youngest Oscar winner in history, at the time.
In 1963, she launched The Patty Duke Show, a hitsitcomthat ran for 105 episodes between 1963 and 1965. The actress played both Patty Lane and Cathy Lane, identical cousins who lead completely different lives. She went on to star in movies such asValley of the Dolls,Me, Natalie, You’ll Like My Mother,The Swarm, along with TV shows such as It Takes Two, Karen’s Song and Hail to the Chief.
The actress most recently hadguest starringroles onGleeand Liv and Maddie, and her final filmPower of Airis in post-production.Patty Dukeis survived by her husband Michael Pearce and childrenSean Astin, Mackenzie Astin and Kevin Pearce. Do you have a favoritePatty Dukerole?
