Patsy Parsons Explained

Patsy Parsons
Birth Name:Patricia Parsons
Birth Date:June 9, 1931
Occupation:Character actress
Years Active:1937 - 1956
Other Names:Patsy Lee 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.

Biography

Parsons's 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.

Selected filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1937They Wanted to Marry Patsy
1937You Can't Buy Luck Orphan Girl Uncredited
1938Billy the Kid Returns Miller's 2nd Daughter Uncredited
1939The Star Maker Cookie
1939Meet Dr. Christian Patsy Hewitt
1940Heroes of the Saddle Peggy Bell
1941Melody for Three Nancy Higby Uncredited
1941They Meet Again Susie
1942The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine Marlene Titus
1942Yankee Doodle Dandy Josie Cohan – As a Girl of 12
1945Roughly Speaking Louise Jr. – Ages 12–17 Uncredited
1948Luxury Liner Joyce Uncredited
1953The Caddy Girl in Dressing Room Uncredited
1954Manhunt in Space Cleolanta IMDb
1954Crash of Moons Cleolanta IMDb

Sources and External Links

Notes and References

  1. News: Walse . Clarke . Sing, Babies, Sing! . August 9, 2020 . St. Louis Globe-Democrat . July 11, 1937 . 45. Newspapers.com.