Patsy Parsons

Patricia Parsons (June 9, 1931 – October 26, 2006), better

known as Patsy Parsons, sometimes credited as Patsy Lee Parsons, was an

American character actress who appeared in about a dozen films beginning in

1937.

She was born in Parkersburg, W.Va,. but moved to Hollywood

at age 5. She began acting at age 6, and mostly did child roles, notably in

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), starring James Cagney. But she is perhaps best

remembered for one of her few adult roles, as the evil space tyrant

"Cleolanthe" on the TV show Rocky Jones, Space Ranger in 1954.

Like many former child stars, Parsons had difficulty finding

good adult roles. She retired shortly after leaving Rocky Jones, Space Ranger,

making one last TV appearance on Science Fiction Theater in 1956. She was still

only in her mid-20s when she stopped acting.

Parsons had a busy post-entertainment career in California

as the wife of banker and community activist Solon Soteras. As Pat Soteras, she

worked at Pepperdine University and raised three children, Alexander,

Nickoletta and Anthony. She also wrote a weekly column for the Malibu Times. In

her later years, she was most remembered for her work with the Agoura/Oak Park/

Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce where, as its executive director, she

increased membership eightfold.

In memory of her work with the chamber, the Patricia Soteras

scholarship fund was established.