James Patterson (actor)

James Patterson (June 29, 1932 – August 19, 1972) was an American actor who won a Tony Award for his role in the 1968 Harold Pinter play The Birthday Party.

He appeared in Lilith (1964), and he had numerous guest appearances on television through the early 1970s, including in Silent Night, Bloody Night, a cult classic horror film.

Early life and education
Patterson was born in Derry, Pennsylvania, For a time, he was a painter and later studied acting at the Carnegie Institute of Technology with Hebert Berghof. He met his future wife, actress, Rochelle Oliver on the set of the off-Broadway production of The Brothers Karamazov. He was also a cast member. In 1960, they were living together in their small apartment on the Upper East Side.

Career
Patterson was both a stage and screen actor. For his stage work, he won both Tony and Obie awards. His career started on a Pittsburgh radio show with "Starlets on Parade" as a boy soprano.

In 1968, Patterson played the part of Dave Barca in Hawaii Five-O, episode "The Ways of Love".

In 1972, Patterson was in the horror slasher film Silent Night, Bloody Night that starred Patrick O’Neal, playing Jeffrey Butler, a man trying to sell a house with a terrible history that belonged to his grandfather Wilford Butler.

Death
Patterson died of cancer at age 40 in 1972 in New York City. He was survived by his wife Rochelle and son John.