Happy Birthday Patty Duke
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Her childhood rise to stardom was fraught.
Duke was born to an alcoholic father and a severely depressed mother, who handed her over to managers John and Ethel Ross. The duo groomed her for fame from the age of 7, and later went on, she says, to feed her alcohol and abuse her outright when they feared her success would take her away from them. Duke recalls how Ethel announced her name change (she was born Anna Marie Duke): One day, when I was seven, Ethel came into a room where I was studying a script and said Okay, Anna Maries dead! Youre Patty now! Do you know how much thats cost me on the psychiatric couch? she confided on the Commonwealth of California Radio Show last year. 
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Shes played both Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan.
The Miracle Worker was her Broadway debut, and the movie she and costar Ann Bancroft made of the show won her an Academy Award when she was just 16. She says that while she worked with Ann Bancroft, the older actress let her know she loved her unconditionally. Duke often spent time with Bancroft and her husband, Mel Brooks. Later, she stepped into Bancrofts shoes and played Anne Sullivan in an Emmy Award-winning made-for-TV remake of the piece.
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Shes bipolar.
She didnt receive her diagnosis until age 35. Snce then, shes been very open about her diagnosis. She takes lithium to even her mood, though she emphasizes that the fix for bipolar disorder is different for everyone, and has written several books about her journey to mental health. Nowadays, she sees mental health activism as her main focus, and envisions a march on Washington by the mentally ill (somehow, that seems like a dubious idea).
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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She dated Desi Arnaz, Jr.
The relationship put a strain on her relationship with Lucille Ball; prior, the two had been friends. But Ball was bothered by the age gap (Duke was 23 to Arnazs 17) and, Duke said in a 2009 interview, she took that motherly stance that we can take that were afraid of something. But, she added, She was never mean to me, ever.
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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Shes been married four times.
She married Harry Falk in 1965 and divorced him in 1969. She married Michael Tell in 1970 and divorced him within two weeks; the legacy he left her was son Sean, adopted by her next husband, John Astin. She divorced him in 1985 to marry still-husband Michael Pearce, a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army. Hes eight years younger than she is. Duke said, I was not marriage material until God gave me the opportunity to marry my husband Mike.
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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Her son made a memorable Hobbit.
Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings movies, is Dukes son. They were unaware of Astins parentage (it turns out hes Michael Tells son) until 1994, when a DNA test proved it. He was raised by John Astin, who considers Sean his son.
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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She was president of the SAG.
Duke was president of the Screen Actors Guild between 1985 and 1988, only the second woman in history elected to the position. She dealt admirably with the SAG strike at the time, though she says it wasnt an easy thing to do.
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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She can be wicked!
Duke played Madam Morrible n last years San Francisco run of the play Wicked!, at the Orpheum Theater. She says the treat of the production was listening to the ladies who played the witches; as for her, much as Id like to think Im a great singer, Im not very musical at all, Duke said, humbly.
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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She most recently showed up in Unanswered Prayers.
The Lifetime movie aired in late November of this year. Duke played the main characters mother-in-law. And shes now getting set to dive into the world of The Miracle Worker once again--this time, shes going to be the director. Happy birthday, Patty.
Speaking Multiple Languages Can Help Delay Alzheimer'sOne of the easiest ways to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease is by learning another language. The innovative Pimsleur Approach promises to teach you any language in just 10 days. Materials are available in CD, MP3 or iTunes formats. Get started today!
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