Beloved ’70s actress Sandy Duncan, known for her bright energy and comedic charm, faced a life-changing health crisis at just 24. While filming her hit CBS sitcom Funny Face in 1971, she developed severe headaches and blurred vision. Doctors discovered a brain tumor pressing on her optic nerve, requiring emergency surgery.
The 10-hour operation saved her life but left her blind in one eye. “I have holes and scars all over the place. And then they stapled it back on,” she once said about the surgery. The condition ended the first season of Funny Face, but Duncan returned to TV in 1972 with The Sandy Duncan Show.
Despite her vision loss, Duncan thrived on stage, earning acclaim for her iconic performance in Peter Pan. “It made me suddenly aware of my mortality,” she shared, reflecting on how the experience changed her.
Now in her late 70s, Sandy Duncan lives in Connecticut with her husband, Don Correia. She remains admired for her resilience, talent, and honesty about her journey.
