Sandy Duncan was a standout performer from the start, quickly finding success on stage and screen. In her mid-twenties, she landed a breakout role in the sitcom Funny Face, earning major recognition. But just as her career was taking off, a health crisis struck.In 1971, while filming the first season of Funny Face, Duncan began experiencing severe headaches and vision problems. Despite being dismissed by doctors, her symptoms worsened, and she eventually underwent emergency brain surgery to remove a tumor pressing on her optic nerve. The operation left her permanently blind in one eye, significantly impacting both her health and career.

Born in Texas in 1946, Duncan moved to New York at 19, where she quickly found success in commercials and Broadway productions. Her breakout TV role in Funny Face led to an Emmy nomination, but the physical toll of her surgery ended her rapid rise. She returned to TV with The Sandy Duncan Show in 1972, but her career never regained its previous momentum.The tumor was benign but dangerous, affecting her vision and depth perception. Despite the challenges, Duncan returned to the stage, where she found renewed success, most notably in the title role of Peter Pan on Broadway. Her performance was a triumph, proving that even after life-changing surgery, she could still captivate audiences.

Duncan has been open about her struggles with depression and the challenges of adjusting to life after surgery. She and her husband, dancer Don Correia, have raised two sons and remain a strong, supportive pair. Now in her late 70s, Duncan lives with her family in Connecticut, still carrying a sense of humor and resilience despite the physical and emotional hardships she’s faced.While she no longer auditions, Duncan’s legacy continues in the theater world, defined by her honesty, strength, and dedication to the stage.