Virginia Patton

Virginia Ann Marie Patton Moss (June 25, 1925 – August 18, 2022) was an American actress. After appearing in several films in the early 1940s, she was cast in her most well-known role as Ruth Dakin Bailey in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946). In 1949, Patton retired from acting, and her final film credit was The Lucky Stiff (1949).

Virginia Patton
Patton in Black Eagle (1948)
Born
Virginia Ann Marie Patton

(1925-06-25)June 25, 1925
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 18, 2022(2022-08-18) (aged 97)
Albany, Georgia, U.S.
Alma mater
OccupationActress
Years active1943–1949
Known forIt's a Wonderful Life
RelativesGeneral George Smith Patton Jr. (uncle)

Early life

Patton was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 25, 1925, to Marie (née Cain) and Donald Patton.[1][2] She was raised in her father's hometown of Portland, Oregon,[3] where her family moved when she was an infant.[4][5][6] She was a niece of General George S. Patton.[7] Patton graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland, and then moved to Los Angeles, California, where she attended the University of Southern California.[8]

Career

While a student at USC, Patton began to audition for acting parts. She collaborated in plays with screenwriter William C. DeMille while in college.[8] She had several minor supporting film appearances before being cast in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Ruth Dakin Bailey, the wife of George Bailey's younger brother Harry.[9]

Although Capra did not know Patton personally, she read the role for him, and he signed her to a contract. Patton later said that she was the only girl the famous director ever signed in his entire career. Patton still gave interviews about It's a Wonderful Life, and she was the last surviving credited member of the adult actors in the film (a number of child actors are still alive).

Patton made only four films after It's a Wonderful Life, including her first lead in the B-Western Black Eagle (1948).[10] She appeared in the drama The Burning Cross (1946), a film about a World War II veteran who becomes embroiled with the Ku Klux Klan upon returning to his hometown.[11]

Personal life

Patton was married to Cruse W. Moss from 1949 until his death in 2018. She gave up acting in the late 1940s to concentrate on raising a family with her husband in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[10] She later attended the University of Michigan.[10]

Patton died on August 18, 2022, at age 97.[12] She was the last surviving adult cast member of It's a Wonderful Life.[13]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1943Thank Your Lucky StarsGirl in Ann Sheridan Numberuncredited
1943Old AcquaintanceCollege Girluncredited
1944Roaring GunsKaren Ferrisshort film
1944Grandfather's Folliesshort film
1944JanieCarrie Lou
1944The Last RideHazel Daleuncredited
1944Hollywood CanteenJunior Hostessuncredited
1945The Horn Blows at MidnightParty Girluncredited
1946Canyon PassageLiza Stone / Bartlettuncredited
1946Nobody Lives ForeverSwitchboard Operatoruncredited
1946It's a Wonderful LifeRuth Dakin Bailey
1947The Burning CrossDoris Green
1947A Double LifeActress onstage in Othello
1948Black EagleGinny Long
1949The Lucky StiffMillie Dale

References

Citations
  1. 'It's a Wonderful Life' Actress Recalls Classic Film Role in Visit to Plymouth
  2. "St. Nicholas Institute: 2013 Award Winners". St. Nicholas Institute. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  3. "Virginia Ann Patton (b. 1925)". Ohio Birth Index, 1908–2011. Record count: 13,254,340. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  4. "Virginia A Patton in entry for Donn M Patton, 1930; United States Census, 1930". Family Search. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  5. Morrison, Laura (August 22, 2022). "Last Surviving Adult actor from 'It's a Wonderful Life', Virginia Patton Moss, Dies at 97". KOIN. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023.
  6. Haring, Bruce (August 21, 2022). "Virginia Patton Dies: Last 'It's A Wonderful Life' Adult Cast Member Was 97". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023.
  7. Reuter, Anne (October 12, 1997). "A gem gets its chance to Shine". The Ann Arbor News. p. F3.
  8. McKay, John (December 9, 2012). "'It's a Wonderful Life' Actress Recalls Classic Film Role in Visit to Plymouth". Patch. Plymouth, Michigan. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023.
  9. Tobin, James (December 16, 2022). "It was a wonderful life". Michigan Today. University of Michigan. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  10. Pronechen, Joseph (December 26, 2013). "'It's a Wonderful Life' Actress Tells How Wonderful the Film Was and Is". National Catholic Register. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  11. Berry & Berry 2007, p. 48.
  12. Murphy, J. Kim. "Virginia Patton Moss, Last Surviving Adult Cast Member of 'It's a Wonderful Life,' Dies at 97". Variety. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  13. "Virginia Patton, Actress in 'It's a Wonderful Life,' Dies at 97". The Hollywood Reporter. August 21, 2022.

Bibliography
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