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Angela Paton
Angela Paton
Angela Paton
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Angela Paton (January 11, 1930 – May 26, 2016)[3] was an American stage, film, and television actress and theatre director. She co-founded the Berkeley, California-based Berkeley Stage Company. She appeared in stage performances, and in comedy, drama, and thriller films, in roles including Mrs. Lancaster, the innkeeper, in Groundhog Day (1993) and Grandma in American Wedding (2003).

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Paton was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1930. Described as a "natural comic"[4] and one of the "legends of the local stage" of San Francisco,[5] she was a veteran of the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and one of the leading actresses in its first few seasons.[6][7]

After leaving A.C.T. in the early 1970s, Paton and her husband founded and ran the Berkeley Stage Company for a number of years.[7] She appeared in 38 films and over 50 TV series.

Personal life

[edit]

Paton lived in Los Angeles with her husband, Robert "Bob" Goldsby (1926–2024),[7] a professor at UC Berkeley's Department of Drama, a stage director with A.C.T., and first director of its conservatory program.[7] Paton died of a heart attack on May 26, 2016.[3]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1971 Dirty Harry Homicide Detective Uncredited
1988 Winnie Mrs. Spencer TV film
1989 Roe vs. Wade TV film
1989 Manhunt: Search for the Night Stalker Mrs. Webster TV film
1990 Flatliners Doctor
1990 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Gloria Sikes
1991 Love, Lies and Murder Parole Board Member #3 TV film
1991 Crazy from the Heart Edna TV film
1991 Lies of the Twins Mrs. Shearer TV film
1992 The Last of His Tribe Mrs. Gustafson TV film
1992 Criminal Behavior Adelaide TV film
1992 Keep the Change Dinah TV film
1993 Groundhog Day Mrs. Lancaster
1993 And the Band Played On Woman in Denver TV film
1994 Clean Slate Shirley Pogue
1994 Blue Sky Dottie Owens
1994 Where Are My Children? Ellie McNeil TV film
1994 Trapped in Paradise Hattie Anderson
1995 Home for the Holidays Woman on Airplane
1996 Eye for an Eye Moderator
1996 Hollywood Boulevard Mary
1997 Lolita Mrs. Holmes
1998 The Wedding Singer[8] Faye
1998 The Con[8] Lyla TV film
1999 The Joyriders Rita Mae Tuttle
2001 The Kennedys Grandma TV film
2001 Early Bird Special Mrs. Carmichael
2001 Joe Dirt Woman with Roadrunner
2003 The United States of Leland Airplane Woman
2003 Die, Mommie, Die! Angela's Fan
2003 American Wedding Grandma
2005 Red Eye Nice Lady
2006 Aisle 73 Frances Burnbaum Short
2007 The Valley of Light Granny TV film
2007 Lavinia's Heist Lavinia Silver Short
2007 The Final Season Anne Akers
2013 I Am I Doris
2014 Last Wishes Emilie Baptiste Short, (final film role)

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1988 Thirtysomething Nurse 1 episode
1988–1989 Falcon Crest Harriet Anderson 6 episodes
1989 Hunter Eva Sands 1 episode
1989 The Wonder Years Woman at City Hall 1 episode
1990 Doctor Doctor Pauline Meacham 1 episode
1990 Equal Justice Mrs. King 1 episode
1990 Lifestories Eileen Chapin 1 episode
1991 Father Dowling Mysteries 1 episode
1991 Quantum Leap Lottie Sammis 1 episode
1991 My Life and Times Sarah Miller 1 episode
1991 Wings Sandy 1 episode
1991 L.A. Law Sandra Vosburgh 1 episode
1992 Murphy Brown Nurse #1 1 episode
1992 Doogie Howser, M.D. Betty Jameson 1 episode
1991–1992 Nurses Mrs. Kerper, Mrs. Pinson 2 episodes
1993 Sirens Dognapper 1 episode
1993 Love & War Nurse Doris 1 episode
1994 Dave's World Mrs. Begley 1 episode
1995 Star Trek: Voyager Aunt Adah Episode: "Caretaker"
1995 Something Wilder Mrs. Griffen 1 episode
1995 NYPD Blue Josephine Stevens 1 episode
1995 Picket Fences Mrs. Addelson 1 episode
1995 The Client Mrs. Jarvis 1 episode
1994–1995 Home Improvement Irma 2 episodes
1995 ER Mrs. Ransom 1 episode
1996 Seduced by Madness Joan 2 episodes
1996 Cybill Evelyn 1 episode
1996 The Home Court Marie Grant 1 episode
1996 Caroline in the City Mrs. Larson 1 episode
1997 Ink Mrs. Iniger 1 episode
1997 The Tom Show Mrs. Thompson 1 episode
1997 Cracker The Suspect 1 episode
1998 Chicago Hope Irene 1 episode
1998 Players Madge 1 episode
1998 Dharma & Greg Judith 1 episode
1998 Jesse Mrs. Baum 1 episode
1999 L.A. Doctors Mrs. Gerken 1 episode
1999 Sliders Mrs. Meadows 1 episode
2000 Boston Public Mrs. Walsh 2 episodes
2001 That's Life Mrs. Leski 1 episode
2001 The X-Files[9] Mrs. Lukesh 1 episode ("4-D")
2002 First Monday Bernice Jaworski 1 episode
2002 Becker Mrs. Bernstein 1 episode
2003 JAG Elena Motley 1 episode
2005 Numbers Eyewitness 1 episode
2005 Curb Your Enthusiasm Ruth 1 episode ("Kamikaze Bingo")
2006 Four Kings Betty 1 episode
2008 My Name Is Earl Old Woman 1 episode
2010 Sons of Tucson Ethel 1 episode
2010 Medium Mrs. Halstead 1 episode
2011 Grey's Anatomy Martha Elkin 1 episode
2014 I Didn't Do It Mrs. Klasby 1 episode

Theatre (selection)

[edit]
Title Role Notes
The Beauty Queen of Leenane[5] Mag
Dog Logic[10] Mother
Harvey[6] Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet On Broadway
Memoirs of Jesus[11] Director
Passione[12] Aggy
The Sandbox[4] Mommy
Three Sisters[7] Anfisa
Tonight at 8.30[13] Mrs. Rockett The Fumed Oak act
Woman in Mind[14] Muriel

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Angela Paton

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Angela Paton (January 11, 1930 – May 26, 2016) was an American actress and theatre director renowned for her versatile performances across stage, film, and television, with a career spanning over five decades that emphasized regional theater in the Bay Area. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she majored in dramatic art at Carnegie Mellon University (then Carnegie Tech) and relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1957, where she became a foundational figure in the local theater scene. Paton gained widespread recognition for her role as Mrs. Lancaster, the kindly innkeeper, in the 1993 comedy film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, marking a pivotal entry into screen acting late in her career. Paton's theater work defined much of her legacy, particularly as a principal actress in the early seasons of the (ACT) in during the 1960s, where she performed leading roles such as Mary Tyrone in and Olga in Three Sisters. In 1974, she co-founded the Berkeley Stage Company with her husband, actor Robert W. Goldsby, serving as its artistic director until 1984 and focusing on producing new plays that advanced the regional theater movement. Later, she appeared on Broadway in the 2012 revival of Harvey, showcasing her enduring and dramatic range. Her contributions earned her the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, affirming her status as a Bay Area theater legend. In film and television, Paton amassed over 90 credits starting in her late 50s, including notable roles in movies such as (1997) as Mrs. Holmes, (1998), and (2003) as Grandma. On television, she debuted in the 1988 telefilm Winnie and guest-starred in numerous series, among them Quantum Leap, (as Aunt Adah in the 1995 episode "Caretaker"), , , and , often portraying warm, eccentric character roles that highlighted her natural comedic talent. Paton passed away in , survived by her husband and three children, leaving a profound impact on American through her dedication to ensemble theater and mentorship of emerging artists.

Early life

Birth and family

Angela Paton was born on January 11, 1930, in , , New York. Paton was the daughter of William Paton and Winifred Agnes Giles. Little is publicly documented about her parents' professions or origins, but her early life was centered in the working-class neighborhoods of during the era. She maintained close family ties into adulthood, with her nephew serving as a key contact who announced her passing in 2016. During her childhood, Paton was sent to a in , where she described herself as a "problem child." It was there, in her second year of elementary school, that she first performed on , playing the role of a in a school production—an experience she later credited as the spark for her lifelong passion for .

Education and early influences

Paton developed an early interest in during her childhood, sparked by her first stage role as a rose in an elementary school play while attending in . For formal training, Paton attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now ) in , , where she majored in dramatic art and graduated in 1951. This program provided comprehensive instruction in acting techniques, , and theatrical history, laying the groundwork for her future work in the field. During her studies in the late and early 1950s, she participated in student productions that honed her skills and deepened her appreciation for ensemble-based theatre. Following her graduation, Paton briefly pursued opportunities in , joining the resident company at , an influential regional theatre known for its innovative approaches to American plays, which further shaped her artistic perspective before her relocation to the West Coast. In 1957, she moved to the with her husband, Robert Goldsby, a , where she engaged with the burgeoning local scene. These early environments exposed her to diverse theatrical styles and collaborative dynamics that informed her pre-professional development.

Career

Theatre career

Angela Paton began her professional theatre career in the late , joining the (ACT) in in 1966 as a principal actress in its early seasons. Over the next several years until 1972, she performed in 11 leading roles at ACT, establishing herself as a versatile actress capable of handling classical and modern repertory. Notable among these were her portrayal of Olga in Anton Chekhov's The Three Sisters (1968–1969), which toured nationally and transferred to Broadway at the ANTA Playhouse in 1969, and Mary Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's . Other significant ACT appearances included , , , , , , and Six Characters in Search of an Author, showcasing her range in both dramatic and comedic roles. In the early 1970s, after leaving ACT, Paton co-founded the Berkeley Stage Company in 1974 with her husband, director Robert Goldsby, and continued her stage work there, starring in several productions including leading roles in Bertolt Brecht's The Goodwoman of Setzuan and Sam Shepard's . This venture solidified her contributions to regional theatre in the Bay Area. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Paton continued her stage work at prominent regional theatres, including Washington's , the in , South Coast Repertory, and . Key roles from this era included Anfisa in a 1985 revival of The Three Sisters at the Tom Bradley Theatre and Muriel in Alan Ayckbourn's Woman in Mind at the Tiffany Theatre in 1992, opposite as Susan. In 1999, she earned acclaim for her performance as the domineering Mag Folan in Martin McDonagh's at , a role that highlighted her skill in portraying complex, acerbic maternal figures. Paton's theatre career extended into the and early , with appearances at venues like the Los Angeles Theatre Center and the . Among her favored roles were Mother Courage in Brecht's epic and in Shakespeare's tragedy, both performed in regional productions. Her final major stage credit came in 2012 on Broadway, reprising her regional work as the eccentric Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet in Mary Chase's Harvey at , a role she had previously played in . By 2014, Paton had amassed decades of live performance achievements, remaining a respected figure in American regional theatre for her depth and commitment to ensemble work.

Film career

Angela Paton made her film debut in an uncredited role as a detective in the 1971 thriller , directed by and starring . Over the course of her career, she appeared in 38 feature films, spanning genres from comedies to thrillers, with her final role in the 2014 short film Last Wishes as Emilie Baptiste. Her screen work often featured her in supporting capacities that added depth to ensemble narratives, particularly in mid-1990s and early productions. Paton's most iconic film performances include her portrayal of Mrs. Lancaster, the kindly innkeeper, in the 1993 comedy , where she provided a warm anchor to Bill Murray's time-looping protagonist. She reprised a maternal as Grandma in the 2003 comedy , contributing to the film's ensemble humor alongside and . Other notable roles encompass the authoritative Doctor in the 1990 supernatural thriller with and , Faye, a wedding singer's associate, in the 1998 romantic comedy starring , and the polite Nice Lady in the 2005 Wes Craven thriller Red Eye featuring . Throughout her filmography, Paton frequently embodied warm, maternal figures that offered emotional grounding in otherwise chaotic or high-stakes stories, enhancing the dynamics of ensemble casts in both comedies and thrillers. Her subtle, character-driven contributions, such as the empathetic Mrs. Holmes in the 1997 adaptation of , underscored her versatility and ability to elevate supporting roles without overshadowing leads, leaving a lasting impression in genre-blending films that paralleled her occasional television guest appearances in similar comedic and dramatic veins.

Television career

Angela Paton's television career spanned from 1988 to 2014, encompassing over 50 series appearances that showcased her versatility across genres, including , , and . She began with guest roles and television movies in the late 1980s, transitioning to recurring parts and prominent guest spots in prime-time series, often portraying maternal or authoritative figures that highlighted her warm yet commanding presence. Her early television work included a recurring role as Harriet Anderson on the soap opera Falcon Crest, appearing in six episodes during the 1988–1989 seasons, which marked one of her first sustained engagements on screen. She followed this with guest appearances in popular shows such as thirtysomething (as a nurse in 1988), Dear John, Hunter, The Wonder Years, Quantum Leap (as Lottie Sammis in 1991), Wings, L.A. Law, Murphy Brown, Doogie Howser, M.D., and Nurses (1991–1992), demonstrating her ability to adapt to ensemble-driven narratives in both sitcoms and dramas. These roles often emphasized everyday resilience, a archetype similar to those in her film work but tailored to episodic formats. In the 1990s, Paton expanded into and procedural dramas with notable guest spots, including Aunt Adah in (1995) and appearances in , , The Client, ER, , , and . She also featured in two episodes of as Irma, the cooking show host, in "Too Many Cooks" (1994) and "Let Them Eat Cake" (1995), blending humor with her character's no-nonsense demeanor. This period solidified her reputation for versatile supporting roles that added depth to ensemble casts. Entering the 2000s, Paton continued with guest roles in series like , , , JAG, Numb3rs, and (as Ruth in 2005), while maintaining a presence in genre work through her portrayal of Mrs. Miriam Lukesh in episode "Salvage" (2001). Later highlights included recurring elements in and a single episode as Martha Elkin on (2009), underscoring her enduring appeal in medical and comedic dramas until her final television appearance in I Didn't Do It (2014). Throughout her career, Paton's television contributions emphasized character-driven performances that bridged traditions with prime-time innovation.

Directing and producing

Stage directing

Angela Paton directed several notable plays at regional theaters, including George Bernard Shaw's and Shakespeare's (1973) at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where she emphasized ensemble cohesion and textual fidelity. In 1994, Paton directed Harry Cornelius Cronin's one-man drama Memoirs of Jesus at the Matrix Theatre in , featuring Robinson in the lead role as a reflective Jesus in an olive grove before the . The production, running for limited performances through December, highlighted her interest in introspective, character-driven narratives that explored duality and personal revelation. Earlier, as co-founder and artistic director of the Berkeley Stage Company (1974–1984), she championed new playwrights and innovative works that prioritized experimental staging to amplify emerging voices in American theatre. Paton's approach to direction was deeply influenced by her acting experience at the (ACT) from 1966 to 1972 and the Berkeley Stage Company, where she learned to prioritize actor collaboration and meticulous script analysis. This actor-centered method informed her contributions to staging. By the late and into the , her work further demonstrated her thematic focus on familial tension and realism.

Producing work

In 1974, Angela Paton co-founded the Berkeley Stage Company in , alongside her husband, Robert Goldsby, serving as its until its closure in 1984. The company focused on producing innovative works by emerging playwrights, providing a platform for new voices in American theater during the and early . Under Paton's oversight, the Berkeley Stage Company mounted several notable productions that highlighted contemporary and experimental drama. Key examples include Albert Innaurato's Earthworms (1978), which earned a Best Production award and starred Paton as Edith, and Innaurato's Wisdom Amok. Other significant stagings were Samuel Beckett's Happy Days (1974), the latter featuring Paton in the lead role. These efforts emphasized logistical and to bring fresh scripts to , fostering regional theater initiatives in the Bay Area. As , Paton oversaw these productions while also performing in several, nurturing young talent through opportunities in rehearsals and performances of untested plays. Paton's producing work had a lasting impact on emerging artists by nurturing young talent through opportunities in rehearsals and performances of untested plays. The company's dedication to up-and-coming writers like Innaurato helped launch careers and contributed to the vibrancy of experimental theater in the region. No credited producing roles in independent films or other media are documented in her career.

Personal life and death

Marriage and family

Paton married theater director Robert "Bob" Goldsby on September 27, 1952, shortly after meeting him while performing as the leading lady at the Chase Barn Theater in ; the couple wed just eight weeks later and shared a that lasted over 60 years. Goldsby, a in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at the , provided a stable partnership that complemented Paton's acting pursuits during her mid-career transition to the West Coast. The couple had three children—Gwendolyn, Matthew, and Robert E. Goldsby—who formed the core of their family life amid Paton's professional commitments. Extended family included her nephew George Woolf, though details of their interactions remained private. After relocating from Brooklyn to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1957, Paton and Goldsby established their initial residence there, where they remained for decades supporting her theater career; later, to facilitate opportunities in film and television, they relocated to the Los Angeles area, including Malibu, California, remaining there until 2015 before moving to the Oakland area. This West Coast base not only supported her professional endeavors but also allowed for a balanced family life centered on creative and academic influences. Goldsby died on October 26, 2024, in Oakland, California.

Illness and death

Paton's final acting role was in the 2014 short film Last Wishes, directed by , in which she played the role of Emilie Baptiste. In May 2016, she suffered a heart attack that led to her placement in care in . Paton died on May 26, 2016, at the age of 86. Her nephew, , confirmed the news to the , noting that she had been in following the heart attack.

References

  1. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/angela-paton
  2. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Angela-Paton-Bay-Area-legend-of-stage-and-7950157.php
  3. https://entertainment.ie/person/angela-paton
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0665708/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0665708/bio/
  6. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/groundhog-day-actress-angela-paton-dies-at-86/
  7. https://www.americantheatre.org/2016/06/15/angela-paton-a-fierce-presence-onstage-a-modest-one-off/
  8. https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/people/angela-paton/
  9. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/angela-goldsby-obituary?id=16079024
  10. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-three-sisters-3464
  11. https://playbill.com/production/the-three-sisters-anta-playhouse-vault-0000005282
  12. https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Angela-Paton/
  13. https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/72449-three-sisters-at-the-tom-bradley-theatre-1985
  14. https://variety.com/1992/legit/reviews/woman-in-mind-1200430093/
  15. https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Improvisational-Sessions-Bring-Truth-to-Beauty-2895581.php
  16. https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2011-2012-season/harvey
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066999/fullcredits/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099582/
  20. https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/angela-paton
  21. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/paton-angela
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101120/characters/nm0665708
  23. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-02-ca-3929-story.html
  24. https://www.critical-stages.org/6/old-souls-into-new-souls-interview-with-robert-goldsby-u-s-director/
  25. https://tdps.berkeley.edu/news/in-memoriam-robert-goldsby
  26. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/angela-paton-dead-groundhog-day-897830/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4001278/
  28. https://deadline.com/2016/05/angela-paton-dead-groundhog-day-actress-1201763774/
  29. https://variety.com/2016/film/news/angela-paton-dead-dies-groundhog-day-1201784354/
  30. https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/05/27/actress-angela-paton-of-groundhog-day-dies-at-86/
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