Melody Patterson

Melody Patricia Patterson (April 16, 1949[1] – August 20, 2015) was an American actress known for her role as Wrangler Jane in the 1960s television series F Troop and for her role as Ellie in the horror film Blood and Lace (1971).

Melody Patterson
Patterson on the set of F Troop, 1966
Born(1949-04-16)April 16, 1949
Inglewood, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 20, 2015(2015-08-20) (aged 66)
Hollister, Missouri, U.S.
OccupationActress, singer
Years active1965–1989
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1970; div. 1975)​

Robert Seaton
​
​
(m. 1976; div. 1993)​

Vern Miller
​
​
(m. 1998)​

Early life

Melody Patterson was born on April 16, 1949 in Inglewood, California. Patterson was the daughter of machinist Pat Patterson and the former Rosemary Wilson, an official in the Miss Universe contest. Her mother had been a dancer with Warner Bros.,[2] who "doubled for Joan Crawford in several films."[3]

She started performing at the age of four, appearing in "Mrs. McThing" at the Downey Community Theatre in Downey, California.Patterson wrote and directed a play at the age of 5.[1] Before turning 10, she had also been a photographer's model, an actress and an ice skater.[2] In the ninth grade, she enrolled in the Hollywood Professional School.[1] She continued her education in the Warner Bros. school while she acted on F Troop.[3] She attended the Hollywood Professional School and later studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Career

She apparently auditioned for F Troop (1965) on a lark. She was not quite 16, having obtained the role with the help of a forged birth certificate that indicated her age was 18 and kept her real age from the producers. When she had secured the part, she told them her real age. Their shock and consternation were ameliorated shortly thereafter by her maturity and professionalism.[3] After the 1967 cancellation of F Troop, Patterson worked in television, radio, and the theater. She also appeared on Mr. Novak and Shindig! In the 1970s, she appeared in three episodes of Hawaii Five-O, and began modeling and appearing in television commercials.

Patterson's first screen appearance was an uncredited walk-on in Bye Bye Birdie (1963). Her first featured role was in the 1968 drama The Angry Breed.[4] She also appeared in a lead role in the action film The Cycle Savages with Bruce Dern, followed by a leading part in the slasher film Blood and Lace (1971). In 1973, she appeared in a small part in The Harrad Experiment (1973). Her final film credit was in The Immortalizer (1990), a direct-to-video sci-fi horror film.

While living in Hawaii, Patterson performed in the play Butterflies Are Free, with Barbara Rush and Dirk Benedict. She appeared in other plays such as House of Blue Leaves for the University of Hawaii, and played the part of Peggy in The Front Page written by Charles MacArthur, and directed by then husband James MacArthur (son of Charles).[5]

In 1999 she received her Bachelor's Degree from Sierra Nevada College.

Other activities in entertainment

Patterson entertained troops in Vietnam with the Johnny Grant Christmas tour and was a disc jockey for the Armed Forces Radio Service.[6] She later wrote a column called "Wrapping with Wrangler" for Wildest Westerns magazine.[7]

Recognition

In 1965, the Motion Picture and Television Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists group selected Patterson as one of 12 young actresses named Deb Stars of 1966. She was nominated by the Warner Bros. studio.[8]

Personal life

Melody Patterson was married three times, the first was to actor James MacArthur in July 1970 and lasted until 1977. MacArthur was known for the role of Dan "Danno" Williams in the TV series Hawaii Five-O. During their marriage, she put her career aside to move to Honolulu where the show filmed. Her second marriage was to Robert Hill Crump Seaton Jr and ended in divorce April 29, 1998. Her third and final marriage was to musician Vern Miller on November 28, 1998 and ended with her death.[1] Patterson had no children from those marriages.

Death

Patterson died in a nursing home in Hollister, Missouri on August 20, 2015, at age 66.[9] Multiple organ failure was the reported cause.[10] Her F Troop co-star Larry Storch (Corporal Agarn) announced her death on Facebook as follows: "It's with a heavy heart that we can let you know our beloved Wrangler Jane, Melody Patterson passed away today. Our hearts are sad today. RIP Sweet Melody. We love you."[10] Patterson was cremated and has no final resting place.[11]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1963Bye Bye BirdieTeenagerUncredited
1967The Angry BreedApril Banner
1969The Cycle SavagesLea
1971Blood and LaceEllie Masters
1973The Harrad ExperimentJeannieUncredited
1990The ImmortalizerNurse Jane

Television
Year Series Role Notes
1965Wendy and MeEleanor1 episode
1965-67F TroopWrangler Jane Angelica Thrift65 episodes
1967The MonkeesEllie Mae1 episode
1968Adam-12Valerie1 episode
1968Green AcresLorelei Appleby1 episode
1969-74Hawaii Five-OKathy / Sherry / Missy3 episodes

References
  1. Colker, David (August 28, 2015). "Melody Patterson dies at 66; played Wrangler Jane in western sitcom 'F Troop'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  2. "ABC's Melody Patterson Named '67 Queen Azalea". The Robesonian. Lumberton, NC. March 16, 1967. p. 9. Retrieved January 25, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Thomas, Bob (January 21, 1966). "Little Bit Of Lying Big Aid To Melody Patterson". The Indiana Gazette. Indiana, Penn. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved July 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "The Angry Breed (1968) - Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  5. "Melody". Wranglerjane.net. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  6. "James MacArthur guest at Pageant". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Weekly T.V. & Radio Guide. March 11, 1972. p. 1-A. Retrieved July 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Wrapping with Wrangler". Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  8. Sar, Ali (November 21, 1965). "Two Valley Actresses Win Hollywood Deb Star Titles". Valley News. Van Nuys, Calif. p. 37-A. Retrieved January 25, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Slotnick, Daniel E. (August 27, 2015). "Melody Patterson, Wrangler Jane on 'F Troop,' Dies at 66". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2015. Melody Patterson, a winsome actress best known for playing Wrangler Jane on the sitcom "F Troop" in the 1960s, died on Aug. 21 in Hollister, Mo. She was 66.
  10. "F Troop Actress Melody Patterson Dies at 66". Variety. August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  11. "Melody Patterson". Find a Grave. August 21, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
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