As a kid, Mackenzie Astin grew used to sharing his mom, Patty Duke, with her admirers, but after the publication of her memoir Call Me Anna in 1987, the nature of those fan interactions changed. “After her autobiography, she became more of a mental health advocate than a professional actress,” Mack tells Closer. “People would meet her and jump into a story about how valuable her book had been to someone in their lives.”
An actor since the age of 8, Patty, who was born Anna Marie Duke, won an Oscar playing Helen Keller in 1962’s The Miracle Worker and went on to become the country’s most popular teenager on The Patty Duke Show. “She was very, very talented, but people fell in love with her because she was very lovable," said William Schallert, who played her father on the show.
It wasn't until Patty released her memoir that the public learned of the mistreatment and abuse she suffered at the hands of the couple who managed her career and her long struggle with severe mood swings caused by bipolar disorder. "Mostly what people like me want to find out prior to our diagnosis is, 'Am I the only one?"" said Patty. "The good news-bad news is, 'You're not the only one.""
LIGHT IN DARKNESS
This story is from the February 12, 2024 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 12, 2024 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I Owe Everything TO GOD
THE JEFFERSONS AND 227 ACTRESS IS GOING STRONG AT 92 YEARS YOUNG
HER RULES to Live By
THE SiLVERSSCREEN LEGEND BELIEVED IN WORKING HARD AND LIVING LARGE
Murder, She Wrote SECRETS FROM THE SET
FRIENDS AND CO-STARS SHARE BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES FROM THE BELOVED SERIES
We're All CONNECTED
The Touched by an Angel alum shares her thoughts on marriage, aging, faith and her new TV series, The Baxters
Amazing UNTOLD STORY
FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHARE MEMORIES OF THE ACTOR AND DANCER NEARLY 15 YEARS AFTER HIS UNTIMELY PASSING
MOTHER'S DAY Memories
OUR FAVORITE TELEVISION MOMS SHARE THEIR FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AND THOUGHTS ON MOTHERHOOD
5 WAYS TO STOP SUGAR CRAVINGS
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS TO KEEP TEMPTATION UNDER WRAPS
Memories of My Grandfather, LARRY FINE
THE THREE STOOGES COMEDIAN WAS A COMMITTED FAMILY MAN WHO DOTED ON HIS LOVED ONES
CHRISTOPHER ATKINS - I'm Still a DREAMER
The Dallas and Blue Lagoon star shares his life today with Closer
KATE & KING CHARLES - STAYING STRONG& Carrying On
BATTLING CANCER AT THE SAME TIME HAS DEEPENED THE AFFECTION AND RESPECT BETWEEN THEM