Shirley Patterson was an American actress who is best known for World Without End, The Land Unknown, and Batman. She was born on December 26, 1922, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and passed away on April 4, 1995, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Personal and Family Life
Shirley Patterson was married to Alfred Smith, Jr., and they had one child together. She grew up in Eastend, Saskatchewan, where her father worked as a druggist. After her marriage and the birth of her child, she took a break from acting to focus on her family from 1947 to 1953.
Career Highlights
Patterson began her acting career in the early 1940s, appearing in films under contract with major studios like Columbia, MGM, and PRC. She was known for her roles in serials and comedies, particularly as a leading lady in many B-westerns and was the heroine in the first Batman serial. Though she faced a significant injury in a skiing accident in 1958, leading to her early retirement, she made a notable return to the screen in cult sci-fi films under the name Shawn Smith.
Death and Legacy
Shirley Patterson passed away from cancer on April 4, 1995, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After her death, her ashes were scattered into the Atlantic Ocean. Her contributions to film, especially in the genre of science fiction and serials, continue to be appreciated by fans today.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| It! The Terror from Beyond Space | 1958-07-31 | Ann Anderson |
| The Long Wait | 1954-05-26 | Carol Shay (as Shawn Smith) |
| The Land Unknown | 1957-10-15 | Margaret ‘Maggie’ Hathaway |
| World Without End | 1956-03-25 | Elaine |
| Batman | 1943-07-16 | Linda Page |
| Phony Express | 1943-11-18 | Lola (bargirl) |
| Black Hills | 1947-10-26 | Janet Hadley |
| Between Two Women | 1945-03-28 | Nurse Thorsen |
| Tumbleweed Trail | 1946-07-19 | Robin Ryan |
| Riding West | 1944-05-17 | Alice Morton |
| Keep Your Powder Dry | 1945-04-01 | WAC Brooks |
| Four Star Playhouse | 1952-09-25 | Betty Maxwell |
| Maigret | 1960-10-31 | Maid |