Biography
James Patterson was an American actor. Born in Derry, Pennsylvania, he studied acting at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and began his career in radio before moving into stage and screen work.
His film roles include Dr. Lavrier in Lilith (1964), Mr. Purdy in In the Heat of the Night (1967), Elk in Castle Keep (1969) and Jeffrey Butler in Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972). He also appeared in numerous television series, among them Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O and The Big Valley. On stage he received a Tony Award for his performance in Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party (1968).
Patterson died of cancer in New York City in 1972, aged 40.
