Actress. Born Neva Louise Patterson, on a farm near Nevada, Iowa, the daughter of a mailman and a seamstress, she had early ambitions of an acting career, while working as an usher at Nevada’s Circle Theater during her teenage years. Upon high school graduation, she was employed as a secretary in Des Moines, before moving to New York City where she began her career in entertainment, as a hotel singer while acting on occasion. Her big break came on the Broadway stage with a part in the play “The Druid Circle” (1947), followed by her introduction to television two years later. During the 1950s, she successfully alternated between TV, films and stage, marking her motion picture debut in “Taxi” (1953); Patterson achieved what is perhaps her most memorable role, when she was cast in the stage comedy “The Seven Year Itch” (1952 to 1955), as she originated the part of Helen Sherman. Further memorable film roles followed with “Desk Set” (1957), “An Affair to Remember” (1957) and “David and Lisa” (1962). She had recurring parts in the TV programs “The Governor & J.J.” (1969 to 1970), “Nichols” (1971 to 1972) and was featured in the mini-series “V” (1983) and its sequel “V: The Final Battle” (1984). She retired during the early 1990s after accumulating more than 100 credits. She was married to screenwriter James Lee from 1960 until his death in 2002. She died of complications from a broken hip. (bio by: C.S.)