As a testament to her passion and talent, former 1950s pig-tailed moppet star Patty McCormack has remained a consistent presence on film and TV for over five decades. While the lovely and talented blond suffered her share of hard knocks in adjusting to an adult career, she did not fade away into oblivion or self destruct as those child stars before her did. Born Patricia Ellen Russo in Brooklyn, New York, to Frank Russo, a firefighter, and the former Elizabeth McCormack, a roller skating pro, the young girl found herself modeling at age 4. Two years later, she had progressed to films with bits in _Two Gals and a Guy fame.
Received the Milky Way Gold Star Award as the nations most outstanding juvenile performer of 1956.
Attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, New York.
Has a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just off the corner of Hollywood and Vine.
Is one of Hollywoods Youngest Academy Award and Golden Globe Nominees (Best Supporting Actress for The Bad Seed).
Has been asked, in real life, for "Kathy ORourkes" autograph... and given it.
In the early 1950s she was one of the child "spoke-children" for Red Goose Shoes, advertised on "Tom Corbett: Space Cadet" on the Dumont TV network.
As of 2016 she is the 9th earliest surviving recipient of a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, tied with Dorothy Malone and behind only Olivia de Havilland , Angela Lansbury , Ann Blyth , Nancy Olson , Lee Grant , Terry Moore , Eva Marie Saint and Marisa Pavan. She was nominated in 1956 for The Bad Seed .
She was awarded the 1983 Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Performance for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 23, a son Robert R. Catania on July 27, 1969. Childs father is her [now ex] husband, Robert Catania.
