Patsy Kelly(1910-1981)
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Patsy Kelly was born Bridget Sarah Veronica Rose Kelly on January 12,
1910, in Brooklyn, New York. She began performing in vaudeville when
she was just twelve years old. Patsy worked with comedian Frank Fay and
starred in several Broadway shows. She was discovered by producer Hal Roach, who paired her with Thelma Todd in a series of comedy shorts. They became a popular onscreen team and made thirty-five films together
including Top Flat (1935) and Done in Oil (1934). Although Patsy never became an
A-list star she continued to work throughout the 1930s. She had
supporting roles in Pigskin Parade (1936), Merrily We Live (1938), and Topper Returns (1941). Patsy was a lesbian and she was always open with the press about her sexuality. She had a long-term relationship with actress
Wilma Cox. By the early 1940s Patsy was drinking heavily and making
headlines for her erratic behavior. She decided to quit show business
and moved to New York City. She started dating Tallulah Bankhead and
worked as her secretary. Eventually, Patsy went back to acting and
appeared on numerous television shows. She also had small roles in the
films Rosemary's Baby (1968) and Freaky Friday (1976). Patsy won a Tony award in 1971
for her performance in No No Nanette. After suffering a stroke she
moved into a nursing home. She died from pneumonia on September 24,
1981. Patsy is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.