Patty Duke to play twins, 50 years later

Patty Duke is playing twins on TV again, this time as a pair of grandmas on the Disney Channel.

The 67-year-old actress will guest star on an upcoming episode of “Liv and Maddie,” which follows twin sisters played by actress Dove Cameron.

Duke said her grandchildren are fans of the show, and while she never expected to play twins again, she felt a twinge of jealousy when she saw Cameron doing it.

“I won’t lie,” Duke said. “When (the show) came on the air, there was a part of me that said, ‘I want to do that!”’

Duke famously played “identical cousins” on her namesake sitcom that aired in the early 1960s.

Producers of “Liv and Maddie” said they were inspired by Duke’s show and long hoped she’d appear on theirs. Cameron studied all three seasons of “The Patty Duke Show” to prepare for her roles as twins, and said she cried when she learned she’d be working with Duke.

“There’s really only one model for this show,” Cameron said. “I didn’t want to mess it up! I didn’t want to offend her.”

Duke, who has continued to collect acting credits annually, said it was initially tough playing twins again, especially since one of her characters is pretending to be the other. But with Cameron and the writers’ help, she found her groove.

“I could hear a little of the creak as the rust fell away,” Duke said.

The episode will air next year.

Shooting twins for TV hasn’t changed much in the 50 years since Duke’s show ran, the actresses said. They still use body doubles and static sets, shooting everything twice so the actress can portray each twin. Only there are four cameras on “Liv and Maddie,” compared to just one when Duke’s show was shot.

The two actresses loved sharing the set.

“They say you should never meet your heroes,” Cameron said, “but she’s gone from a hero to a really, really great friend and mentor.”

Duke said simply: “It is an awesome experience.”

Sandy Cohen, Associated Press

Talk to us

More in Life

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay walks into the Prohibition Grille along Hewitt Avenue in Everett Wednesday Dec. 5, 2012 while reportedly filming an episode of Kitchen Nightmares at the Everett restaurant. (Mark Mulligan / The Herald)
Even more films and TV shows filmed in Snohomish County

Readers point out projects previously missed in this series, from reality television to low-budget indie films.

Daniella Beccaria / for The Herald

15-month-old Kantu attempts to climb a pumpkin at Stocker Farms in Snohomish on Sunday, September 20th, 2015. Stocker Farms offers a U-pick patch, farm animals and a corn maze.
Best pumpkin patch in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied, here are the results.

Everett comedian Taylor Clark performs stand-up in 2023 at The Triple Door in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Bryk)
Comedian Taylor Clark to film first special Friday in Everett

The skateboarding funny-man will record an hour of his stand-up at the Historic Everett Theater.

Local musician Alex Johnston, whose newest album "Daylight Fooldream" pairs with short film he made with help from his partner Mikaela Henderson, sits with his morning coffee on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Narrative Coffee in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Folktronica musician shoots 37-minute visual album on iPhone in Everett

Alex Johnston, 31, describes his music as ”if Coldplay and Bon Iver had a love child.”

Death of parent with child. Piece of paper with parents and children is torn in half.
Helping children cope with the hard realities of divorce

I’s important to set aside one’s feelings and find a way to make this challenging transition as comfortable for children as you can.

In Belgium, each type of beer has its own glass – whether wide, tall, or fluted – to show off its distinct qualities.
Rick Steves’ Europe: Bruges brews lift a weary traveler’s spirits

The Belgian city is a mecca for beer lovers from around the world.

Children’s author Barbara Herkert to lead Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop, Friday September 29th, 9:30-10:00 am!
Author to read her new kids book at Edmonds bookstore

Author Barbara Herkert will read “This Old Madrone Tree” Friday at Edmonds Bookshop.

Flowering knotweed Persicaria amplexicaulis firetail in the morning light.
Save for one infamous variety, fleece flowers are easy to fall in love with

This long-blooming, easy-to-grow perennial comes in many desirable varieties. But watch out: One is an invasive knotweed.

A view of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington from an Amtrak Cascades train to Portland, Oregon from Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Ride the rails on Amtrak Cascades from Everett to Portland

Make new friends and let Amtrak do the driving on this 5-hour trip past sea, city and forest.

Most Read