Patty Duke, who won an Oscar at the age of 16 for her portrayal of Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker” and went on to star in her own sitcom, lead the Screen Actors Guild and become a mental health advocate, died today at the age of 69.
A statement issued on her family’s behalf says the actress and mental health advocate, who was born Anna Marie Duke, died early today of sepsis from a ruptured intestine.
“She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a mental health advocate and a cultural icon. She will be missed,” the statement said.
Actress Melissa Gilbert, who played Keller in “The Miracle Worker” 1979 television movie opposite Duke, who portrayed the blind and deaf girl’s teacher Annie Sullivan in that version, tweeted: “Today, my heart aches for Anna’s big beautiful family, but I know she’s in a better place.”
Flowers were being readied to be placed on Duke’s Walk of Fame star in front of the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd.
