Virginia Patton, the last surviving adult cast member from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” died Thursday at age 97. The actress’s passing was confirmed in a Facebook post by co-star and former child actor Karolyn “Zuzu” Grimes.
“We have another angel! Virginia Patton Moss. She was 97 years old,” Grimes wrote. “She is now with her beloved Cruse. She will be missed!”
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925 and raised in Portland, Oregon, Patton is most famous for appearing in Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” She played Ruth Dakin Bailey, the sister-in-law of James Stewart’s protagonist, George Bailey.
“Virginia was the only girl that was contracted directly by Frank Capra,” Patton’s husband, Cruse W. Moss, claimed in 2012 regarding his wife’s casting in the film, Variety reported. “Everybody else in that film was loaned by another studio.”
He added, “But Ginny was not with the studio and Frank Capra actually signed her for that picture.”
Patton, who was the niece of legendary World War II Gen. George Patton, would go on to star in four more films, including “The Burning Cross” in 1947 and “Black Eagle” in 1948, before retiring from acting in 1949. In her final credited role, Patton appeared in the 1949 comedy “The Lucky Stiff” alongside Dorothy Lamour, Brian Donlevy and Claire Trevor.
That same year, Patton married Cruse W. Moss and relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan, whereupon she started a career as a businesswoman and raised three kids. The pair remained married until Cruse’s death in 2018.
“I couldn’t see me doing that for my life,” Patton told local news outlet Patch in 2012 while discussing her decision to retire from acting. “I wanted exactly what I am. Ann Arbor, Michigan, a wonderful husband, wonderful children, a good part of the community. I work hard for the community.”
