Virginia Patton Biography

Fast Facts

• Won the Spirit of Christmases Past, Present & Future Award from the St․ Nicholas Institute for her role in "It's a Wonderful Life" in 2013
• Attended the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan
• Holds an honorary doctorate in business administration from Cleary College
• Quote: "[on "It's a Wonderful Life"] "Frank [Capra] always had some kind of a message․ Because it was right after the war, he thought the whole world was in shambles ․․․ he wanted to bring the world a message of peace and courage and to lift their spirits․""
• Is the president and director of the investment and real estate holding company the Patton Corporation
• Retired from acting in 1949 to marry her husband Cruse Moss and raise a family in Michigan
• Best known for playing Ruth Dakin Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life․"
• Was the only cast member of "It's a Wonderful Life" to be personally signed by the film's director, Frank Capra