Remembering Patty Duke

Actress Patty Duke seemed to live a charmed life. She won an Academy Award at the age of 16 for playing Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker.” She played dual roles as identical cousins in her hit sitcom, “The Patty Duke Show.”

But behind the scenes she suffered from many of the problems that plague child stars: manipulative adults, mismanaged money and substance abuse. Most insidious of all, however, was the mental illness that began to manifest as she reached adulthood. She experienced periods of manic highs and deep depressions that negatively affected her life, relationships and career.

Finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 35, she received treatment, went public with her diagnosis and became a mental health advocate, inspiring many others who suffer from similar illnesses. We remember the talented actress and humanitarian.

[pauladams]

I loved, laughed a lot and respected greatly this true American icon.