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. 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.
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 Year Title Role Notes1937 They Wanted to Marry Patsy 1937 You Can't Buy Luck Orphan Girl Uncredited1938 Billy the Kid Returns Miller's 2nd Daughter Uncredited1939 The Star Maker Cookie 1939 Meet Dr. Christian Patsy Hewitt 1940 Heroes of the Saddle Peggy Bell 1941 Melody for Three Nancy Higby Uncredited1941 They Meet Again Susie 1942 The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine Marlene Titus 1942 Yankee Doodle Dandy Josie Cohan – As a Girl of 12 1945 Roughly Speaking Louise Jr. – Ages 12–17 Uncredited1948 Luxury Liner Joyce Uncredited1953 The Caddy Girl in Dressing Room Uncredited1954 Manhunt in Space Cleolanta IMDb1954 Crash of Moons Cleolanta IMDb
References
Sources and External links
Patsy Parsons at epguides.com at The Acorn community newspaper Crash of Moons movie review Space Hero Files: Rocky Jones, Space Ranger Descriptions and credits for Rocky Jones, Space Ranger episodes, and one of the few on-line sources to spell "Cleolanthe" correctly Database and cover gallery of Rocky Jones, Space Ranger comics at comics.org