Paton was affectionately regarded as a "natural comic" and one of the most illustrious "legends of the local stage" in San Francisco, boasting a storied career that spanned numerous decades. As a seasoned veteran of the esteemed American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.),she held the distinction of being one of A.C.T.'s leading actresses during its inaugural seasons. Following her departure from A.C.T. in the early 1970s, Paton and her husband, a renowned theatre director, co-founded and successfully operated the Berkeley Stage Company for an extended period.
Subsequently, the couple relocated to the picturesque coastal town of Malibu, California, where they resided until 2015. Throughout her illustrious career, Paton accumulated an impressive array of credits, including 38 films and over 50 television series appearances. Furthermore, she continued to hone her craft through extensive regional theatre work across the country, with a notable highlight being her 2014 role in the Broadway production of Harvey.
