A young girl who has been deaf, blind, and mute since infancy after a severe illness. Frustrated by her inability to communicate, she experiences frequent uncontrollable outbursts before beginning to learn the connection between hand signs and objects.
An ambitious newcomer whose talent and success threaten Helen Lawson, and who becomes friends with Anne and Jennifer. After a telethon appearance launches her nightclub career, she moves to Hollywood, marries Mel and later Ted, but alcoholism and drug use damage both her career and relationships. She later relapses after Lyon helps her return to Broadway.
Mrs. Boyle is Rita's mother. She initially accepts the apparent marital separation and helps shield the person believed to be Rita from Peter. Later, after Peter explains that he wants to repair the marriage, she sympathizes with him and brings Rita to him, enabling the final attempt to resolve the body exchange.
Daughter of Alice Leacock and mother of three children. Moves into her mother's California home, becoming an incidental participant in the supernatural events triggered by a cursed lamp.
Protagonist. A self-conscious Brooklyn teen who struggles with self-image and social rejection. After her uncle's death and her friend Shirley's overdose, she moves to Manhattan, works as a waitress, and falls for married architect David Harris. She ultimately chooses independence and self-responsibility over a dependent romance.
Community member actively involved in local church and social gatherings.
Rita is a pregnant café waitress who takes shelter with Crane and Helena during the attack on Marysville. She attempts to board the evacuation train but is kept from it when she goes into labor at the hospital. Rita gives birth safely and begins falling in love with the attending doctor.
A 15-year-old tomboyish track runner who defies gender norms to join the school team. She befriends Mike Benson, teaches him and the team to run to a fast internal beat, and ultimately wins the championship match while becoming his girlfriend.
Mother on the run, targeted by the coven, ultimately abducted by a possessed bus.
Leigh's twin sister, who has long suffered from multiple personality disorder. Valerie is an expression of Laura's feelings of inadequacy and is the personality that controls her inherited spider curse. Laura is revealed as the killer, and the ending indicates that Jennifer is her daughter.
Angel is a guardian angel who helps Emilie, J.T., and Alanna during their flight from the authorities. This versatile supernatural figure assumes a variety of earthly guises and supports the struggling family through a series of fortunate coincidences, helping create opportunities for them to remain together and pursue happiness in Bethlehem.
Patty Duke has 118 screen credits in a career dating back to 1953. Their work spans 5 cinematic universes — most prominently Love Comes Softly Collection with 1 titles. Signature works include The Miracle Worker, Amityville: The Evil Escapes, Me, Natalie. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 5 universes
Related entry on Wikidata (Q232538), public domain (CC0).
