Oscar, Emmy-Winning Actress Patty Duke Dies at 69

The Associated Press reported Tuesday Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke has died at the age of 69. Her agent confirmed her death.

Duke won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1962 at the age of 16 for playing the young Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker" opposite Anne Bancroft. Bancroft also won an Oscar for her work in the film.

Duke went on to a successful career in television with "The Patty Duke Show" in 1963 in which she played cousins, one American, one British. When the show was cancelled in 1967 she progressed to more mature roles, most notably as Neely 'Hara in the film adaptation of "Valley of the Dolls." Her over-the-top performance was said to have ruined her career at the time. For years she was loathe to discuss the film, or attend screenings when it became a camp classic.

She won an Emmy Award in 1970 for playing a pregnant teen in "My Sweet Charlie." Her rambling acceptance speech led many to believe she was doing drugs, though later she said it was due to her then undiagnosed bi-polar disorder. She won two more Emmys, one for a television adaptation of "The Miracle Worker" where she played Annie Sullivan.

From 1985 through 1988 she was the President of the Screen Actors Guild, becoming the second woman ever elected to the position.

In 1987 she published a best-selling autobiography "Call Me Anna" in which she revealed being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in 1982. In the ensuing years she became an advocate for bi-polar awareness. In 1990 she played herself in the television adaptation of her book.

In the 2000s, Duke continued to work in films, television and the stage.

Early in her career she found success in singing, earning two top 40 hits in 1965.

Duke was married four times, most notably with actor John Astin from 1972 through 1985. She married Michael Pearce in 1986 after they met while filming the made-for-television film "A Time to Triumph." Pearce was a military consultant on the film.