Pat Ast

Pat Ast (October 21, 1941 – October 3, 2001) was an American actress and model. She was best known for starring in Andy Warhol films and being a Halston model and muse in the 1970s.

Pat Ast
Ast in 1972
Born
Patricia Ann Ast

(1941-10-21)October 21, 1941
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 2, 2001(2001-10-02) (aged 59)
Resting placeMount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery
EducationErasmus Hall High School
Occupation
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1969–93

Early life

Patricia Ann Ast was born on October 21, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish parents Irwin and Rose (Ludwig) Ast.[1][2]

Career

Ast made her screen debut after meeting director John Schlesinger, who cast her as a party guest in his film Midnight Cowboy (1969). Around that time, she caught the attention of fashion designer Halston, who gave her a job at his boutique and made her one of his models, despite her weighing 210 pounds. In the early 1970s, with Pat Cleveland, Connie Cook, Alva Chinn, Anjelica Huston, Karen Bjornson, among others, Ast became one of Halston's favored troupe of models, nicknamed the Halstonettes.[3] She then became associated with Andy Warhol, who gave her the role of landlady Lydia in his film Heat (1972) alongside Joe Dallesandro.

In 1975, Ast moved to Hollywood to pursue her acting career. She has appeared in films such as The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox (1976), Foul Play (1978), The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981), and Reform School Girls (1986).[4][5]

Death

Ast's lifelong battle with diabetes worsened in the last decade of her life, resulting in the amputation of some toes.

Ash died on October 3, 2001 at her home in West Hollywood, California.[2] Her death came three weeks after the death of her longtime friend Berry Berenson, who was killed in the September 11 attacks. Ast's neighbors noticed that the newspapers were piling up outside her door and that she hadn't been out to walk her dogs in a few days. Concerned, they called a friend of Ast's, who found her dead on her bed. It was reported that she had died of natural causes.

Due to scheduling conflicts among the attendees, there were two memorial services. Among the guests were; Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Bud Cort, and Paul Reubens. Ast was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.[6][7]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1969Midnight CowboyParty GuestUncredited
1970The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon KickerFat Girl at PartyUncredited
1972The Possession of Joel DelaneyMental Hospital PatientUncredited
1972HeatLydia
1976The Duchess and the Dirtwater FoxMusic Hall Singer
1976Six Characters in Search of an AuthorMadam PaceTV movie
1977Mary Jane Harper Cried Last NightBillie RaeTV movie
1977Which Way Is Up?Hooker
1977The World's Greatest LoverBakery / Wardrobe Lady
1978Foul PlayMrs. Venus
1978The UsersThe DressmakerTV movie
1979Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and GrillVera ElviraTV movie
1981The Incredible Shrinking WomanCustomer #1
1982PandemoniumBus Driver
1986Club LifeButch
1986Slow BurnTV movie
1986Reform School GirlsEdna
1989Homer and EddieMaggie Sinclair
1991Ted & VenusWomen's Group #2
1992Loving Lulu

References

  1. Hofler, Robert (2010-03-02). Party Animals: A Hollywood Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll Starring the Fabulous Allan Carr. Da Capo Press. ISBN 9780306818943.
  2. "Patricia Ann Ast in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007". Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  3. A Story Lately Told: Coming of Age in Ireland, London, and New York. Simon and Schuster. 14 October 2014. pp. 236–. ISBN 978-1-4516-5630-5.
  4. Savage, David (September 6, 2007). "Pat Ast - You Were a Piece of Semi-Heaven!". Cinema Retro. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  5. Yacowar, Maurice. The Films of Paul Morrissey. Cambridge University Press, 1993.
  6. Silva, Horacio (February 24, 2002). "Remembrance Of Things Ast". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  7. "Pat Ast, 59; Model, Actress in Warhol Films, B Movies". Los Angeles Times. October 26, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
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