Duke’s rep says the Oscar-winning actress died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine. A statement reads, “She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a mental health advocate and a cultural icon. She will be greatly missed.” Duke’s son, actor Sean Astin, broke the news himself on “Good Day LA.”
Duke was just 16 when she won Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards for "The Miracle Worker," a role she originated on Broadway. She was the youngest person to ever win an Oscar. The following year, in 1963, she began starring on her own sitcom, “The Patty Duke Show.”
In 1979, Duke took home an Emmy for a TV movie version of "The Miracle Worker." On the big screen, other notable credits included "Valley of the Dolls" and "Me, Natalie," for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
Duke had a memorable guest appearance on “Glee” in 2013, and appeared on “Liv and Maddie” just last year. She continued working right up until her death, including starring in a film called "Power In The Air," which is slated for release in 2017.
