Elizabeth Patterson (actress)

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For other persons of the same name, see Elizabeth Patterson.
Elizabeth Patterson (actress)
Born November 22, 1875(1875-11-22)
Savannah, Tennessee, United States
Died January 31, 1966 (aged 90)
Los Angeles, California, United States

Elizabeth Patterson (November 22, 1875 – January 31, 1966) was an American film and television character actress remembered for her portrayal of elderly neighbor Matilda Trumbull on I Love Lucy.

Patterson was born in Savannah, Tennessee, the daughter of a Confederate soldier who later served as a judge in Hardin County. Her interest in drama was enhanced by theatricals at colleges in Pulaski and Columbia. Her parents disapproved of a theatrical career and sent her to Europe to expose her to other interests, but after seeing the great French plays at the Comédie Française, Patterson returned to the States even more determined to be an actress.

Patterson used a small inheritance to move to Chicago, where she joined a theatrical troupe, and subsequently toured with repertory companies. In 1913, she made her Broadway debut in the play Everyman. She remained active in New York City theatre through 1954.

In 1926, at the age of 51, Patterson was cast in her first movie, The Boy Friend. Additional screen credits include A Bill of Divorcement, Dinner at Eight, High, Wide, and Handsome, Little Women, My Sister Eileen, and Pal Joey. Often cast as the maiden aunt or a scolding parent, Patterson livened up many a subpar film with her wonderful personality.

She considered Intruder in the Dust (1949) to be her favorite role. As Miss Haversham, she played a resolute woman who helped thwart a lynching.

In 1952, at the age of 77, Patterson was cast as Mrs. Willoughby, the wife of the Greenwich, Connecticut justice of the peace who marries Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, in an episode of I Love Lucy. The following year she was tapped for the recurring role of Mrs. Trumbull, the lovable neighbor and Little Ricky's babysitter. She remained with the series for three years.

Never married, Patterson lived alone at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel during her thirty-year motion picture career. She died in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia at the age of 90. She is buried in her hometown of Savannah.

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Persondata
NAME Patterson, Elizabeth
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Actor
DATE OF BIRTH 1875-11-22
PLACE OF BIRTH Savannah, Tennessee, United States
DATE OF DEATH 1966-1-31
PLACE OF DEATH Los Angeles, California, United States