Melody Patterson, a beloved actress and performer, left an indelible mark on the entertainment
industry throughout her decades-spanning career.
Best known for her role as the spunky and quick-witted character Wrangler Jane in the
popular television series F Troop, Patterson's talent and charm captivated audiences both
on and off screen.
Her energy and charisma helped make F Troop a beloved classic of its time, and her legacy
has continued to inspire new generations of fans.
Sadly, at the age of 66, Patterson passed away in a manner that left her fans, family,
and friends in a state of shock.
In this video, we honor the life and achievements of Melody Patterson, reflecting on her impact
and celebrating the joy and talent she brought to the world of entertainment.
Factsverse Presents: Melody Patterson's Cause of Death at 66 was Utterly Tragic
She Was Born To Perform
Melody Patterson was born on the 16th of April, 1949, in the sun-kissed city of Inglewood,
California.
Born to machinist Pat Patterson and Rosemary Wilson, a former Miss Universe official, her
mother had an illustrious career as a dancer with Warner Bros. and even served as a stand-in
for the iconic Joan Crawford in a number of films.
From an early age, Melody's passion for the arts was evident.
At just four years old, she took to the stage in a production of Mrs. McThing at the Downey
Community Theatre in her hometown of Downey, California.
Not long after, at the tender age of five, she penned and directed her very own theatrical
piece.
Before reaching her tenth birthday, Melody had already explored various facets of the
entertainment industry, working as a model for photographers, an actress, and even an
ice skater.
As she entered ninth grade, Melody enrolled in the prestigious Hollywood Professional
School.
Her educational journey continued at the Warner Bros. school, where she balanced her studies
with her role on the television series F Troop.
Melody later pursued further education at the esteemed American Academy of Dramatic
Arts in the vibrant city of New York.
Melody’s F Troop Audition
In 1965, Patterson auditioned for the TV show F Troop, not expecting what would follow.
To her astonishment, she was asked to perform lines from the Doris Day film Calamity Jane,
which happened to be her all-time favorite movie.
Having watched the film countless times, she knew every line and scene by heart.
Her remarkable reading won over the producers, and she was subsequently cast as Wrangler
Jane.
Although she was barely 16, she claimed to be 18 in order to secure the audition.
The studio and producers required that she had to be at least 18 in order to be on the
show, but Melody wasn't going to let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.
In fact, she even used a doctored birth certificate to back up her dubious claim.
In an interview that she gave years later, she shared her thoughts on the audition process,
admitting that she was fairly confident during her F-Troop audition performance.
When asked by the producers if she was 18 and could ride a horse, she simply agreed
without hesitation.
She believed that even if she was only screen tested, she would still at least have some
film to show for it.
When they offered her the role, she thought that even if she only managed to do the pilot,
she would still be ahead in her career.
When she was given the role, Patterson finally admitted to being just 16.
Needless to say, the producers were fairly put off at first by this revelation.
Their initial shock, however, was soon alleviated by her maturity and professionalism.
Melody Was The Perfect Fit
Melody Patterson played the role of Wrangler Jane Angelica Thrift on F Troop throughout
it's entire run, appearing in 65 episodes.
The show, set in the Wild West during the post-Civil War period, revolved around the
quirky and clumsy soldiers stationed at the remote Fort Courage.
The ensemble cast brought humor and camaraderie to the screen, and Patterson's character added
a much-appreciated touch of charm and romance to the mix.
Wrangler Jane, the beautiful and feisty owner of the local trading post, was a skilled sharpshooter
and horse rider.
She often found herself rescuing the bumbling soldiers from various predicaments.
Jane's character was an especially empowered woman for the time, proving she was just as
capable as the men around her.
Her presence on the show broke the mold of the traditional damsel in distress, as she
consistently demonstrated her strength and independence.
Patterson's portrayal of Wrangler Jane was well-received by audiences, who appreciated
her strong yet feminine character.
Her on-screen chemistry with the show's lead character, Captain Wilton Parmenter, played
by Ken Berry, was undeniable.
Jane harbored romantic feelings for Parmenter and often tried to win his affections, providing
a recurring romantic subplot throughout the series.
Melody Patterson's performance as Wrangler Jane in F Troop played a significant role
in the show's success.
Her character brought a unique blend of strength, wit, and charm to the series, creating a memorable
and lasting impression on viewers.
She Performed For The Troops
Melody Patterson brought joy to troops stationed in Vietnam as part of the Johnny Grant and
Friends show.
Her initial tour took place in December 1967, and she was accompanied by Diane McBain, Sherry
Jackson, and Sabrina Scharf.
Patterson embarked on her second tour in June 1968, this time alongside Vicki Lawrence and
Karen MacQuarrie, who held the title of Miss Welcome to Long Beach 1968.
In addition to her appearances for the troops, Patterson served as a disc jockey for the
Armed Forces Radio Service, further showcasing her dedication to entertaining servicemen
and women.
Later in her career, she penned a column titled "Wrapping with Wrangler" for the Wildest Westerns
magazine, allowing her to maintain a connection with her fans and share her experiences in
the world of entertainment.
Melody’s Post F Troop Career
After F Troop was canceled in 1967, Patterson continued her career in TV, radio, and theater,
with appearances on shows like Mr. Novak and Shindig!
Throughout the 1970s, she guest-starred in three episodes of Hawaii Five-O and began
modeling and featuring in television commercials.
Patterson's big-screen debut was a small, uncredited part in 1963s Bye Bye Birdie.
Her first significant role came in the 1968 drama The Angry Breed.
She went on to star in the action film The Cycle Savages, alongside Bruce Dern, followed
by a lead role in the horror movie Blood and Lace in 1971.
Patterson also had a minor role in 1973s The Harrad Experiment and her last film credit
in 1990s The Immortalizer, a direct-to-video sci-fi horror flick.
While residing in Hawaii, Patterson acted in the play Butterflies Are Free, co-starring
Barbara Rush and Dirk Benedict.
She also appeared in House of Blue Leaves for the University of Hawaii and played Peggy
in The Front Page, which was written by Charles MacArthur and directed by her husband at the
time, James MacArthur, who was Charles' son.
In 1999, at the age of 50.
Patterson earned her bachelor's degree from Sierra Nevada College, proving that it's never
to late to go back to school and earn a degree.
Melody’s Love Life
Throughout her life, Melody Patterson entered into matrimony on three occasions.
Her first marriage was to the renowned actor James MacArthur in July 1970, best known for
his role as Danny "Danno" Williams in the popular TV series Hawaii Five-O. Patterson
chose to set her career aside and relocate to Honolulu, where the series was filmed.
The couple eventually went their separate ways in 1975.
Subsequently, she married Robert Hill Crump Seaton, Jr., but their union also ended in
divorce on April 29, 1998.
Patterson's final marriage was to Vern Miller, an aircraft mechanic, on November 28, 1998,
and lasted until her passing.
Throughout her marriages, Patterson did not have any children.
Melody’s Tragic Death
Melody Patterson passed away in a nursing home in Hollister, Missouri at the age of
66 on August 20, 2015, due to multiple organ failure.
Her death was shocking to many, given that she was still relatively young and her health
issues were not widely known to the public.
The world, including her fans, friends, co-stars, and family, mourned her passing.
Many expressed their sadness and paid tribute to the talented actress on social media platforms
and through various media outlets.
Those who had worked with her remembered her fondly for her professionalism, warmth, and
the charisma she brought to the screen.
Melody’s former co-star Larry Storch announced her passing on Facebook and expressed his
love for her.
Ken Berry, who played her love interest on F Troop, also shared his condolences and praised
her talent and personality.
Other actors and celebrities who had known her or been influenced by her also posted
their own personal thoughts and memories on social media.
Some of them included Bruce Dern, who co-starred with her in The Cycle Savages, James MacArthur’s
son Jamie, who called her a "wonderful stepmother", and Casey Kasem’s daughter Kerri, who thanked
her for being a part of her father’s life.
Melody Patterson was respected and cherished by many in the entertainment industry.
Melody Patterson's legacy will be remembered through her iconic role as Wrangler Jane on
F Troop, where she showcased her talent, charm, and strong presence.
She left an unerasable mark on the entertainment industry as an actress who broke stereotypes
and portrayed empowered female characters.
Her work in television, film, and theater will continue to inspire many future generations
of actors and artists.
Unfortunately, we’re just about out of time for this video, but before you move on to
watching another one of our facts-packed videos, we’d love to hear from you!
Were you a fan of F Troop?
If so, what did you think about Melody Patterson’s character Calamity Jane?
Did you know that Melody was only 16 when she was cast in her role and that she lied
about her age in order to land the part?
Let us know in the comments down below.
And as always, thanks for watching!