Person Biography:
Patty McCormack, born Patricia Ellen Russo, is a former child star who has remained a consistent presence in the film and television industry for over five decades. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to a firefighter father and a roller skating professional mother, she began modeling at age 4 and progressed to films at age 6.
McCormack's breakthrough role came at age 8 when she played the iconic character of Rhoda Penmark in the Broadway play "The Bad Seed". Her performance earned her an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She reprised the role in the 1956 film adaptation, which cemented her status as a talented young actress.
As she transitioned to adulthood, McCormack faced challenges in adjusting to a career outside of her child star persona. She appeared in a range of films, including "All Mine to Give", "Kathy O'", and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", but struggled to shake off the memory of her iconic role as Rhoda.
In the 1970s, McCormack found steady work in television, appearing in over 250 episodes of various programs, including "The Ropers" and "Dallas". She also continued to work in film and theater, taking on a variety of roles and earning critical acclaim.
In recent years, McCormack has appeared in a range of films and television shows, including "The Sopranos", "NYPD Blue", "Grey's Anatomy", and "Entourage". She has also reprised her role as Rhoda Penmark in the 2018 remake of "The Bad Seed".
McCormack is a mother of two children and has been married twice, including to screenwriter and playwright Ernest Thompson.
