Elizabeth Patterson

Elizabeth Patterson
Born	November 22, 1875(1875-11-22) Savannah, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	January 31, 1966 (aged 90) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1926–1961

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; Tarnished Lady; Dinner at Eight; High, Wide, and Handsome; Intruder in the Dust; The Shocking Miss Pilgrim; Little Women; My Sister Eileen; and Pal Joey.

In 1952, at the age of 77, Patterson was cast as Mrs. Willoughby, the wife of the Greenwich, Connecticut justice of the peace who re-marries Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in an episode of I Love Lucy. The following year she was cast in 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.

References

• Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture
• New York Times biography
• The Divine Miss Patty at LucyFan.com

External links

• Elizabeth Patterson (actress) at the Internet Broadway Database
• Elizabeth Patterson (actress) at the Internet Movie Database
• Elizabeth Patterson (actress) at Find a Grave