IN MEMORIAM: MY TRIBUTE TO PATTY DUKE

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     America and the world is a lot less sunny following the untimely death of one of my favorite actresses.  Hollywood legend, Patty Duke, passed away at 1:20 A.M. on Tuesday, March 29th, 2016.

     I had the great pleasure of interviewing Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce many years ago on a local radio show in Florida that I hosted and executive produced.  Although my listeners obviously knew her as "Patty," I politely asked how she would prefer to be addressed.  "Call me Anna," she replied in a charming and friendly way - which I did then...and what I will do now.  Those three words were also the title of her best-selling autobiography.

     In the theme song - written by Sid Ramin and Bob Wells - of her 1960s big-hit television show  - The Patty Duke Show - were the lyrics..."Our Patty loves to rock and roll, a hotdog makes her lose control."  And the fun that those words represented for her character...were true, as well, for the real-life Anna...who was loads of fun too.  I immensely enjoyed our time together.  It was not only an awe-inspiring delight, but a dream come true.

     As a pre-tween and tween (yes, boys - not just girls - are tweens) - from 1963 to 1966 - my first celebrity crush was on Patty Duke.  And Anna was humbly flattered when I told her so during our broadcast chat together.  Now, more than 50 years after her show's debut, I still watch - on MeTV - the reruns of her highly-rated sitcom...where "Patty Duke" starred...as

wildly different, identical cousins, Patty and Cathy Lane.

     Anna's son - actor Sean Astin - described his mother on Facebook as an "exquisite artist."  And indeed she was.  At age 12 - in 1959 - Patty Duke made her Broadway debut as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker...and received critical acclaim and numerous accolades...including the Theatre World Award as "Most Promising Newcomer."  She later reprised the role in the 1962 motion picture...and - in 1963 - won a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award and the first of two Golden Globe Awards.  At that time, Patty Duke was the youngest person to ever win an Oscar.  She was only 16.

     Seventeen years after bringing Helen Keller's life to the silver screen, Patty Duke switched parts... and took on the role that won Anne Bancroft an Oscar...as Helen's teacher, Annie Sullivan. 

For the 1979 television movie - playing opposite Melissa Gilbert as Helen...Anna won an Emmy Award - one of three that she had earned during her stellar career.

     Anna was a powerfully impassioned humanitarian whose life was more about giving than receiving.  She talked with me at length about her longtime struggle with bipolar disorder...and her valiant efforts to help others who suffered with the disease.  Anna made it her mission to raise money and awareness about mental illnesses.  But her philanthropies didn't end there.  Anna devoted a tremendous amount of time fighting to find a cure for AIDS. 

     I could certainly list all of Anna's outstanding accomplishments...and brilliant work in television, film and theatre...but this is my personal tribute to Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce...and so my focus is more about Anna, the person... rather than Patty, the actress.

     Anna told me her proudest achievement was 
confronting her mental illness head-on...and not hiding from it...or remaining silent.  Instead, she gave bipolar disorder a public voice.  Anna's courage to come forward...and tell her story to her fans and to all the world...is just one example of how extraordinarily special she was...by using her stardom...to give back...and to help others.  Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce will be remembered forever. 
    
     I genuinely feel bad about Anna's passing.  At 69, she was too young to leave us.  An abundantly talented and beloved performer...Anna was a class act.  Throughout her nearly 60 years in show-business, Anna's professionalism was first rate...and she was one of the kindest and one of the warmest entertainers I have had the honor and privilege of knowing.  She was a one-of-a-kind jewel and a precious human gem. 

     Several years after my local radio interview, Anna and I had planned a second on-air meeting for my nationally syndicated radio program, Gary B. Duglin Talks With The Stars.  Unfortunately, Anna took ill...and by the time we rescheduled...my 7-year series was over, as a result of our nation's economic recession.  Not having the opportunity to speak with Anna again was truly a disappointment.  But thankfully...the memories from my local show are treasured and cherished in my mind and in my soul.

     Patty Duke was ranked 40th by TV Guide...on the magazine's list of "The 50 Greatest TV Stars Of All-Time."  I, for one, would move her much, much higher on the list.

     To Anna's husband, Mike Pearce... her sons, Sean Astin...actor, Mackenzie Astin...and Kevin Pearce... as well as to Anna's entire family...I offer my most heartfelt thoughts and prayers...and my deepest sympathies...for the loss of someone so special...and so loved.

     On March 15th, 2016 - just two weeks before her death - Anna sent her final Tweet, saying..."30 years ago today, Mike and I married.  We are having a very happy and quiet day.  Love and hugs to all."  Love and hugs to you, Anna...from all of us to whom you brought happiness.

     The official statement - released by the late star's representative - reads..."Her cause of death was 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."  I couldn't agree more.  Patty Duke will indeed be missed.  And so will Anna.

     And that's The Controversy for today.  (But, I doubt there's any controversy this time).

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."
  

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Photo credits: theconnectioninc.org (Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce), wikimedia.org (Patty Duke as Cathy Lane), dvdtalk.com (Patty Duke as Patty Lane), outsmartmagazine.com (Patty Duke as Patty and Cathy Lane), canalstreetchronicles.com (Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft), pinterest.com (Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert), guardianlv.com (Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce), yahoo.com (Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce), usmagazine.com and wennermedia.com (Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce with sons, Mackenzie Astin and Sean Astin) and mynewsla.com (Anna "Patty Duke" Pearce) 

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