Patsy Parsons
Patricia Parsons (June 9, 1931 – October 26, 2006) was an American character actress who appeared in about a dozen films beginning in 1937. She was sometimes credited as Patsy Lee Parsons.
Patsy Parsons | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 9, 1931 |
| Died | October 26, 2006 (aged 75) |
| Occupation | Character actor |
| Years active | 1937–1956 |
Biography
She was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but moved to Hollywood at age 5. Her appearance in a benefit show at Madison Square Garden led to a contract with RKO Pictures.[1] She began acting at age 6, and mostly did child roles, notably in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942). But she is perhaps best remembered for one of her few adult roles, as the evil space tyrant "Cleolanta" on the TV show Rocky Jones, Space Ranger in 1954.
Like many former child stars, Parsons had difficulty finding good adult roles. She retired shortly after leaving Rocky Jones, Space Ranger, making one last TV appearance on Science Fiction Theater in 1956. She was still only in her mid-20s when she stopped acting.
Parsons had a busy post-entertainment career in California as the wife of banker and community activist Solon Soteras. As Pat Soteras, she worked at Pepperdine University and raised three children, Alexander, Nickoletta and Anthony. She also wrote a weekly column for the Malibu Times. In her later years, she was most remembered for her work with the Agoura/Oak Park/ Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce where, as its executive director, she increased membership eightfold.
Legacy
In memory of her work with the chamber, the Patricia Soteras scholarship fund was established.
Selected Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | They Wanted to Marry | Patsy | |
| 1937 | You Can't Buy Luck | Orphan Girl | Uncredited |
| 1938 | Billy the Kid Returns | Miller's 2nd Daughter | Uncredited |
| 1939 | The Star Maker | Cookie | |
| 1939 | Meet Dr. Christian | Patsy Hewitt | |
| 1940 | Heroes of the Saddle | Peggy Bell | |
| 1941 | Melody for Three | Nancy Higby | Uncredited |
| 1941 | They Meet Again | Susie | |
| 1942 | The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine | Marlene Titus | |
| 1942 | Yankee Doodle Dandy | Josie Cohan - As a Girl of 12 | |
| 1945 | Roughly Speaking | Louise Jr. - Ages 12-17 | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Luxury Liner | Joyce | Uncredited |
| 1953 | The Caddy | Girl in Dressing Room | Uncredited |
References
- Walse, Clarke (July 11, 1937). "Sing, Babies, Sing!". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. p. 45. Retrieved August 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Sources and External Links
- Patsy Parsons at IMDb
- Patsy Parsons at epguides.com
- Patsy Parsons at The Acorn community newspaper
- Crash of Moons movie review
- Space Hero Files: Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
- Descriptions and credits for Rocky Jones, Space Ranger episodes, and one of the few on-line sources to spell "Cleolanthe" correctly
- Database and cover gallery of Rocky Jones, Space Ranger comics at comics.org