Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Patty Duke Is Dead at 69


Sad to read about the passing of Patty Duke, who won an Oscar at 16 for her portrayal of Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker," became the youngest person in her day to have her own sitcom and starred in the gay classic "Valley of the Dolls."
"This morning, our beloved wife, mother, matriarch and the exquisite artist, humanitarian and champion of mental health, Anna Patty Duke, closed her eyes, quieted her pain and ascended to a beautiful place," read a family statement. "We celebrate the infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and throughout her life."


If you don't recall Joan Crawford winning that year -- or even being nominated -- you're right. Bette Davis, her "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" costar, was considered a shoo-in to win, but Anne Bancroft had deputized Joan to accept the best actress prize in her absence should she win. She did, and the rest is the stuff Mommie Dearest is made of!



Condolences to all her loved ones, and especially her identical cousin.

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