Edi Christine Patterson (born September 19, 1974)is an American actress and writer. She has primarily acted in comedies. She is best known for portraying Fran in the film Knives Out (2019), Veronica in the FX series Partners (2014), Jen Abbott in the HBO series Vice Principals (2016–2017), and Judy Gemstone in the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones (2019–2025).

Early life Edi Patterson is from Texas City, Texas. Her mother was a teacher and her father was a plumber. She graduated from Southwest Texas State University, obtaining a theater Bachelor of Arts in 1997.

Career After graduating from college in 1997, Patterson moved to Austin and became involved in the city's developing improvisational theatre scene. She performed Theatresports and the improv format Gorilla at Hyde Park Theatre while The Hideout Theatre was being renovated, and also worked with the Austin theatre company Rude Mechanicals. Around 2000, she moved to Los Angeles, continued performing improv, and trained at The Groundlings, where she progressed from improvisation into sketch writing.

Her early screen work included performing and writing for The Underground in 2006 and playing Veronica opposite Kelsey Grammer in Partners in 2014. Patterson later described her role as Jen Abbott in the HBO series Vice Principals as her breakout. The part was initially planned for four episodes, but was expanded during the series after she developed a strong comic rapport with co-creator and co-star Danny McBride.

In 2019, Patterson began playing Judy Gemstone in the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones. McBride developed the character with Patterson in mind after the two had worked together on Vice Principals and subsequently collaborated as writers. Patterson also joined the ensemble cast of the mystery film Knives Out, which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.

Personal life Patterson is married to actor and improviser Dan O'Connor.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 1998 Legend of Crystania: The Motion Picture Pirotess / Sheru Voice, English version 1999 City Hunter: .357 Magnum Nina Shutenberg Voice, English version 2000 In Flagrante Mia The Distinct Smell of Red Juliet 2007 Jesus People Gloria Hamming Short 2009 Jesus People: The Movie Gloria Hamming 2010 Screwball: The Ted Whitfield Story Fran Whitfield Darnell Dawkins: Mouth Guitar Legend Mary 2011 Thanks Edi Mars Needs Moms Additional voices Voice Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury Peters Under the Covers Short That's What Friends Are For Lisa Short 2012 A Thousand Words Young Female Agent The Naut Beryl Short 2015 Raise the ToyGantic Jane Jobe Short You're Killing Me Emma The Ladykiller Woman #4 Short Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves Peters 2019 Troop Zero Miss Aimee Knives Out Fran Between Two Ferns: The Movie Shirl Clarts 2020 We Bare Bears: The Movie Additional voices 2021 Plan B Doris The Guilty Katherine Harbor Voice The Starling Margie 2022 Violent Night Alva 2024 Thelma the Unicorn Megan Voice Nutcrackers Rose 2026 Brian TBA TBA Completed

Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 Legend of Crystania: The Chaos Ring Pirotess / Sheru Voice, English version 2001 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Rosalyn Dudek Episode: "Too Tough to Die" 2003 Ask Rita 4 episodes 2006 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Mary Magdalene Episode: "Episode #4.191" The Underground Various 11 episodes; also writer 2007 The Showbiz Show with David Spade Correspondent 2 episodesStop It Jill Episode: "Episode #1.5" Case Closed Dezire Television film 2008 Unhitched Angry Woman Episode: "Yorkshire Terrier Sucked Into the Internet" Young Person's Guide to History Sexy Nurse #1 / Police Woman at Dinner Episode: "Part 1" 2009 Popzilla Various Voice Waiting to Die Claire Television film 2011 Weeds Yvonne Episode: "Game-Played" Curb Your Enthusiasm Vet's Wife Episode: "Vow of Silence" Pair of Kings Charlotte Episode: "Sleepless in the Castle" The Exes Sandy Episode: "Pilot" St. James St. James Presents: Delirium Cinema Peters Television film Holiday Engagement Sophie Television film 2012 The New Normal Wilbur's Mom Episode: "Baby Clothes" 2 Broke Girls Janis Episode: "And the Cupcake War" 2013 Californication Shannon Episode: "Blind Faith" Family Bum Sheila Episode: "Reading Is Fun" Super Fun Night Marika Unaired pilot 2014 Partners Verushka / Veronica 10 episodes The League Shauna Episode: "Breast Awareness Month" 2015 Clinical Trials Joan-Ruth Allen 4 episodes Black-ish Laura 4 episodes Mike Tyson Mysteries Courtney Baynes Voice, episode: "She's a Bayniac" 2015–2018 We Bare Bears Additional voices Voice, 25 episodes; also writer 2016–2017 Vice Principals Jen Abbott 15 episodes 2018; 2021 The Last O.G. Elizabeth 7 episodes 2018 Nobodies Mrs. Cooper Episode: "Meeting Steven Spielberg" 2019–2025 The Righteous Gemstones Judy Gemstone 31 episodes; also writer 2020 Infinity Train Scout Pinecone Leader / Rock #1 Voice, episode: "The Campfire Car" 2020–2021 The Fungies! Mertha, Anna Nanna Voice, 33 episodes 2021 Calls Darlene Voice, episode: "Me, Myself, and Darlene" Adventure Time: Distant Lands Momdebra / Cat Student Voice, episode: "Wizard City" Ten Year Old Tom Tom's Mom Voice, 10 episodes Teenage Euthanasia Sophie Voice, 2 episodes 2022 Kung Fu Gwen Episode: "Year of the Tiger" Battle Kitty Jangel / Angelions Voice, episode: "Acidic Dunes" Made for Love Dawn Fairbanks Episode: "Another Byron, Another Hazel" The Simpsons Jessica Voice, episode: "Meat Is Murder" Fairfax Various voices 3 episodes 2022–2023 The Great North Stacy B / Jackie Voice, 4 episodes 2023 Harley Quinn Veronica Cale Voice, 4 episodes 2024–2025 Resident Alien Heather / Blue Avian 6 episodes 2024 Knuckles Wanda Whipple 4 episodes 2025 Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Eileen Bailey Episode: "Immigration" Super Duper Bunny League Long Tall Sally Voice, episode "Long Tall Sally" It's Florida, Man Natalie Episode: "Cuckoo Girl" 2026 President Curtis Carolyn Gladyssmer Voice; 2 episodes

Anime Year Title Role Notes 1996 Variable Geo Yuka Takeuchi Voice, English version 1998 Tekken: The Motion Picture Jun Kazama Voice, English version 2012 Zombie Apocalypse Zombie

Music videos Year Title Artist Notes 2022 "Try Jesus" Elle King Director/Store greeter

Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.2019Hollywood Music in Media AwardsBest Original Song in a TV Show or Limited SeriesThe Righteous Gemstones 2022Hollywood Critics Association TV AwardsBest Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, ComedyThe Righteous Gemstones2023Satellite AwardsBest Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy202631st Critics' Choice AwardsBest Actress in a Comedy Series

References

External links

Groundlings.com - Edi Patterson A day in the Life of Edi Patterson on set by HBO YouTube