Patty Ann Gerrity was a child actress who appeared in several TV shows and movies in the 1950s and 1960s. She is best known for her role as Alice Holliday in the sitcom This Is Alice, which aired from 1958 to 1959. She also had minor roles in films such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Trouble with Angels. But what happened to the young star and how did she die?
Early Life and Career
Patty Ann Gerrity was born on May 14, 1948 in Montebello, California, USA as Patricia Ann Gerrity. She began her acting career at the age of 10, when she was cast as Dixie in the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman. She played the daughter of Brick and Maggie Pollitt, who were estranged from each other due to Brick’s alcoholism and homosexuality.
The following year, she landed the lead role of Alice Holliday in the sitcom This Is Alice, which was produced by National Telefilm Associates and filmed at Desilu Productions. The show focused on the adventures of a young girl who lived in the fictional town of River Glen, Georgia. Phyllis Coates played her mother Clarissa Mae Holliday and Tommy Farrell played her father Chet. Kathy Garver, who later starred in Family Affair, played her friend Sally. The show aired for 39 episodes from October 1958 to August 1959.
Patty Ann Gerrity continued to appear in various TV shows throughout the 1960s, such as The Loretta Young Show, Leave It to Beaver, The Lucy Show, My Three Sons, Tales of Wells Fargo, M Squad, and The Best of the Post. She also had a supporting role as Sheila in the 1966 comedy film The Trouble with Angels, starring Hayley Mills and Rosalind Russell. The film was about two rebellious girls who attend a Catholic boarding school run by nuns.
Death and Legacy
Patty Ann Gerrity’s acting career faded away after the 1960s, and she did not appear in any more films or TV shows. She died on April 21, 1991 at the age of 42 in Mission Hills, California, USA. The cause of her death was not publicly disclosed, but some sources suggest that she suffered from a long illness or a drug overdose. She was buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Los Angeles County, California.
Patty Ann Gerrity is remembered as one of the child stars of the golden age of Hollywood, who charmed audiences with her innocent and lively performances. She is also one of the many examples of how fame and fortune can take a toll on the lives of young actors, who often struggle to cope with the pressures and challenges of the industry. Her fans and admirers still pay tribute to her on social media and online forums, and celebrate her legacy as a talented and beautiful actress.
