Skip to content
MovieCove
Patty Duke

Patty Duke

Actor, also producer · Died March 29, 2016, aged 69 · Elmhurst, Queens, New York, United States

Anna Marie Duke (December 14, 1946 - March 29, 2016), known professionally as Patty Duke, was an American actress. Beginning her acting career in commercials and playing bit parts in television and movies, her breakthrough role was as Helen Keller in the Broadway version of "The Miracle Worker" (1959 - 1961). For the 1962 film adaptation, Duke reprised her role, which won the Academy Award for best supporting actress - at age 16, she was the youngest person ever to win an Oscar (a record later broken by Tatum O'Neal in 1973). Other early films included Billie (1965), Valley of the Dolls (1967), and Me, Natalie (1969). On television, Duke starred in the popular teen sitcom The Patty Duke Show (1963 - 1966), playing a dual role and garnering the first of ten Emmy nominations. She won Emmys for her roles in television film My Sweet Charlie (1970), miniseries Captains and the Kings (1976), and the 1979 TV movie version of The Miracle Worker (1979), this time portraying Annie Sullivan. She served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 - 1988. Off-screen, Duke's life was often tumultuous. Born in Elmhurst, New York, to Frances Margaret (McMahon), a cashier, and John Patrick Duke, a cab driver and handyman, her acting career began at age eight when she was turned over to her brother Ray Duke's managers, John and Ethel Ross, who changed her name and engaged in exploitative behavior. Duke was married four times: to director Harry Falk from 1965 - 1969; to writer Michael Tell in 1970 (with whom she became mother to actor Sean Astin); to actor John Astin from 1972 - 1985 (with who she became mother to actress Mackenzie Astin); and to drill sergeant Michael Pearce from 1986 until her death (with whom she had two stepdaughters and an adopted son Kevin). In 1982, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which was the subject of her second book, "A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depression Illness" (1992). Duke was also a political advocate for issues such as the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), AIDS awareness, and nuclear disarmament. She died on March 29, 2016, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, of sepsis from a ruptured intestine.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 14, 1946
Died
March 29, 2016 (aged 69)
From
Elmhurst, Queens, New York, United States
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 125 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 38% in 30 days

What are Patty Duke's films like?

Across their 52 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama25 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 7th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
30%
Morality
20%
Self
20%
Survival
12%
Society
12%
Ideas
3%
Power
2%
Family bonds26 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity11 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice12 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 50 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 20 · Serious 13 · Dark 17

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 45 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 19 · Charged 16 · Intense 15

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 27 · Shifting 21 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 34 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 3

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 26 · Even-paced 24 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 31 · Engaged 19 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 20 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 18

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 46 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

38 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 20 of 38 analyzed roles.

Hero
20 of 38
Shadow
6 of 38
Ally
5 of 38
Mentor
4 of 38
Trickster
2 of 38
Shapeshifter
1 of 38
Show the 38 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
28
Warm
20
Melancholic
21
Hopeful
21
Dread
9
Other
34

How their films linger

Feel-good19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy20
  • Bittersweet23
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Patty Duke's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 40 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Patty Duke's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

125 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page; 19 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Power of the Air(2018)

    as Charlene Summers

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Liv and Maddie(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandma Janice · as Great Aunt Hilary

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Amazing Love(2012)

    as Helen

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Unanswered Prayers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Irene

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Sylvia Spencer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Drop Dead Diva(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Glee(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Jan

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Love Finds a Home(2009)

    as Mary

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Gotta Get Off This Merry-Go-Round: 'Valley of the Dolls' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Neely O'Hara/Self

  • The Dish on Dolls(2006)

    as Neely O'Hara (archive footage)

  • Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door(2006)

    as Bridget Connolly

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Bigger Than the Sky(2005)

    as Mrs. Keene / Earlene

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Murder Without Conviction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mother Joseph

  • Little John(2002)

    as Sylvia

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Miracle on the Mountain: The Kincaid Family Story(2000)

    as Anne Kincaid

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • First Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Love Lessons(2000)

    as Sunny Andrews

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • A Season for Miracles(1999)

    as Angel

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Kimberly(1999)

    as Dr. Feinstenberger

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Sylvia Formenti

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Valerie Bing

  • The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights(1999)

    Producer · as Patty Lane / Cathy Lane MacAllister

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • When He Didn't Come Home(1998)

    as Faye Dolan

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • A Christmas Memory(1997)

    as Sook

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • To Face Her Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Beth Bradfield

  • Harvest of Fire(1996)

    as Annie Beiler

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Race Against Time: The Search for Sarah(1996)

    as Natalie Porter

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • When the Vows Break(1995)

    as Barbara Parker

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Amazing Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 5 episodes · as Hannah Miller

  • Cries from the Heart(1994)

    as Terry

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jean · as Nancy Williams

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • One Woman's Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Grace McKenna

  • A Matter of Justice(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • No Child of Mine(1993)

    as Lucille Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Alice (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Family of Strangers(1993)

    as Beth Thompson

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • A Killer Among Friends(1992)

    as Jean Monroe

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Prelude to a Kiss(1992)

    as Mrs. Boyle

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive(1992)

    as Jean Williams

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Last Wish(1992)

    as Betty Rollin

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Torkelsons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Catharine Jeffers

  • Absolute Strangers(1991)

    as Judge Ray

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Always Remember I Love You(1990)

    as Ruth Monroe

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Call Me Anna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Book · Co-Producer · as Anna Marie Duke/ Patty Duke

  • Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure(1989)

    as Carolyn Henry

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Amityville Horror: The Evil Escapes(1989)

    as Nancy Evans

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Hitch-Hikers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Fatal Judgement(1988)

    as Anne Capute

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Avenging Ace(1988)

    as Althea Sloan

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • J.J. Starbuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Karen's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 13 episodes · as Karen Matthews

  • Fight for Life(1987)

    as Shirley Abrams

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Willy/Milly(1986)

    as Doris Niceman

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Martha Washington

  • George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Martha Washington

  • A Time to Triumph (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Hail to the Chief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 7 episodes · as President Julia Mansfield

  • George Washington (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · as Martha Washington

  • Best Kept Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Laura Dietz

  • September Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Sister Dulcina

  • Please Don't Hit Me, Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Barbara Reynolds

  • Something So Right (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Jeanne Bosnick

  • It Takes Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 22 episodes · as Molly Quinn

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • By Design(1981)

    as Helen

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Violation of Sarah McDavid(1981)

    as Sarah McDavid

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Girl on the Edge of Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Martha Swenson

  • The Babysitter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Liz Benedict

  • Mom, the Wolfman and Me(1980)

    as Deborah Bergman

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Women's Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Lily

  • The Miracle Worker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Anne Sullivan

  • Before and After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Carole Matthews

  • Hanging by a Thread (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sue Grainger

  • Women in White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 3 episodes · as Cathy Payson

  • The Swarm(1978)

    as Rita

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • A Family Upside Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Wendy

  • Having Babies III (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Leslee Wexler

  • The Storyteller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sue Davidoff

  • Killer on Board (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Norma Walsh

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane Fletcher · as Lilly Mackim · as Shirlee Warner

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Curse of the Black Widow(1977)

    as Laura Lockwood

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sylvia Crawford

  • Fire! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dr. Peggy Wilson

  • Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby(1976)

    as Rosemary Woodhouse

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Captains and the Kings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 8 episodes · as Bernadette Hennessey Armagh

  • Hard Day at Blue Nose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Adelaide

  • Nightmare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Jan Richards

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • You'll Like My Mother(1972)

    as Francesca Kinsolving

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Deadly Harvest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Jenny

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ghost Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Linda Colby

  • She Waits(1972)

    as Laura Wilson

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Sixth Sense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • If Tomorrow Comes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Eileen Phillips

  • Two on a Bench(1971)

    as Macy Kramer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Birdbath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Velma Sparrow

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • My Sweet Charlie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Marlene Chambers

  • Me, Natalie(1969)

    as Natalie Miller

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Journey to the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Barbara King

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Toni

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Journey to the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara King

  • Valley of the Dolls(1967)

    as Neely O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Valley of the Dolls: A World Premiere Voyage(1967)

    as Interviewee

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Jacqueline Susann and the Valley of the Dolls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • The Daydreamer(1966)

    as Thumbelina (voice)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Billie(1965)

    as Billie

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Patty Duke Show(1963)

    Show 104 episodes · as Patty Lane / Cathy Lane

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Power and the Glory(1961)

    as Coral

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Sue Ann McRae

  • The Miracle Worker(1962)

    as Helen Keller

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 4D Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Marjorie Sutherland

  • Meet Me in St. Louis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Tootie Smith

  • Happy Anniversary(1959)

    as Debbie Walters

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Swiss Family Robinson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Lydia

  • The Goddess(1958)

    as Emily Ann Faulkner (Child)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Wuthering Heights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Young Cathy

  • An American Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Augusta Davis

  • Country Music Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as "Sis" Brand

  • DuPont Show of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Perry Como Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Angel · as Sylvia

  • Kraft Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 125 titles from 1947 to 2018; peak year 1991.

Biggest box office

Prelude to a Kiss (1992)

$23M worldwide

Highest rated

The Miracle Worker (1962)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Patty Duke Show (1963)

Film career

19472018

Peak 1991 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 8 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting125 of 125: 124 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score45thWriting1 of 125: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 125: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s11 · acting1960s14 · acting1970s29 · acting1980s26 · acting1990s27 · 27 acting · 1 crew2000s12 · acting2010s5 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 21% of 14 roles
5989

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Patty Duke's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of the 49 of 50 with a score; across their 49 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 49

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 49

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 49

Midcredits score across 60 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th27
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 60 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic10
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Mixed30

Most divisive · actor

Power of the Air (2018)

87th percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Miracle Worker (1962)

Midcredits 98th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 41 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Patty Duke's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 6 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Patty Duke work with?

People who share at least 2 of Patty Duke's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jack Grossbart shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles