Patricia Louise Dressel, better known as Trish Van Devere, is a renowned American actress who has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Born on March 9, 1941, in Tenafly, New Jersey, she initially gained recognition for her comedic performance in Carl Reiner's cult classic, Where's Poppa? (1970),alongside George Segal and Ruth Gordon.
Van Devere's professional career began to take shape with her appearance on the soap opera, One Life to Live (1968). Her path crossed with legendary actor George C. Scott when they co-starred in the neo-noir film, The Last Run (1971),alongside Colleen Dewhurst. Scott would eventually leave Dewhurst for Van Devere, and the couple tied the knot in 1972.
Throughout the 1970s, Van Devere and Scott collaborated on several projects, including the thriller, The Day of the Dolphin (1973),directed by Mike Nichols, and The Savage Is Loose (1974),a film that was barely released. They also appeared together in the TV movie, Beauty and the Beast (1976),Movie Movie (1978),and The Changeling (1980),a period marked by the decline of Scott's stardom and critical reputation.
As a stage actress, Van Devere received guidance from her husband, George C. Scott. She made her Broadway debut in 1975 in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's "All God's Chillun Got Wings," directed by Scott. The couple also co-starred in "Sly Fox," a retelling of Ben Jonson's "Volpone," which was a great commercial success. In 1980, they appeared together on Broadway for the final time in the mystery-romance, "Tricks of the Trade," which unfortunately closed on opening night.
After 1980, Van Devere continued to appear in less prestigious films and television shows until 1994. Despite the ups and downs of her career, she remains an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, with a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of actors and actresses.
