Hollywood Knitting - Gail Patrick
Posted by Kelli Ladwig on
Gail Patrick born June 20, 1911 in Birmingham, Alabama as Margaret LaVelle Fiztpatrick. She attended Howard College where she also served as dean of women. She enrolled in the University of Alabama College of Law and completed two years.
Her law experience stood her in good stead. She was able to negotiate higher pay and removed the clause that would require her to take cheesecake photos. Patrick was concerned about taking any photos or publicity that would prevent her from working professionally in the legal profession.
She and her first husband, Robert H. Cobb, were owners of Hollywood Stars baseball team. She designed children's clothing and opened a boutique on Rodeo Drive.
She stopped acting in 1948. In 1955, Patrick, her third husband (Thomas Cornwell Jackson), and Erle Stanley Gardner formed Paison Production company to produce the Perry Mason television show. She was was president of the production company as well as Executive Producer of Perry Mason. This made her one of the first female producers.
Patrick died from leukemia at age 69 in 1980.
I loved Patrick as Cornelia in "My Man Godfrey" and as Bianca in "My Favorite Wife".
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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