Hollywood Mourns Pat Crowley: Iconic Soap Star Passes At 91 In La

LA Says Goodbye to a Soap Opera Legend

Hollywood is dimming its lights for one of its own. Patricia Crowley, the veteran actress who stole hearts on daytime dramas like 'Port Charles' and 'Generations,' passed away on Sunday in Los Angeles at the age of 91. Her son, Jon Hookstratten, shared the bittersweet news, confirming she left us from natural causes just shy of her 92nd birthday - a true SoCal send-off for a star who shone bright for over six decades.

Crowley’s career was as iconic as a sunset drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. Born in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1933, she made her way to the West Coast in the early 1950s and never looked back. From red carpet premieres to gritty TV sets, she built a resume with over 100 credits, proving she was a force in Tinseltown.

A Daytime Drama Queen and More

If you grew up glued to daytime TV, Crowley was your queen. She ruled the screen as Mary Scanlon on ABC’s 'Port Charles,' racking up over 250 episodes between 1997 and 2003. Before that, she made waves on NBC’s 'Generations,' appearing in more than 60 episodes from 1989 to 1990, cementing her status as a soap opera staple for fans across Cali and beyond.

But don’t box her into just soaps - this lady had range. Back in the day, she snagged a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year in 1954, sharing the spotlight with Bella Darvi and Barbara Rush for her roles in 'Forever Female' and 'Money from Home.' It was the kind of win that screamed Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame energy, launching her into a career that touched every corner of entertainment.

“My mom lived for storytelling - whether on a Hollywood set or just chatting over coffee in Santa Monica. She was magic,” said Jon Hookstratten, reflecting on his mother’s passion for her craft.

From Sitcoms to Silver Screen Swagger

Crowley’s biggest claim to fame for some might be her starring role as Joan Nash in the NBC sitcom 'Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,' which aired from 1965 to 1967. Based on the Doris Day flick, the show had her playing a newspaper columnist who flipped the script on the typical housewife vibe of the era. Though it didn’t crush the ratings at the time, reruns in the ‘70s turned it into a cult classic - pure Venice Beach retro cool.

Her talents didn’t stop at sitcoms. Crowley popped up in legendary shows like 'The Twilight Zone,' 'Gunsmoke,' and 'Bonanza,' plus a slew of others like 'Maverick' and '77 Sunset Strip.' She even brought some Malibu-style drama to nighttime soaps, with 10 episodes as Emily Fallmont on 'Dynasty' in 1986 and a stint on 'The Bold and the Beautiful' in 2005.

A Career That Kept Rolling

This Hollywood vet wasn’t one to slow down, even as the years rolled on. Crowley kept the hustle alive into the 2000s, gracing screens with guest spots on 'The Closer' in 2006 and 'Cold Case' in 2009. She also shared the screen with big names back in the day, starring in Martin and Lewis comedies and alongside legends like Tony Curtis and Dean Martin - talk about old-school LA glamour.

Crowley leaves behind a legacy as rich as a SoCal summer. She is survived by her husband, Andy Friendly, and her children, including Hookstratten, who’s making waves as an executive VP at Sony Pictures Entertainment right here in town. Her story is one for the Hollywood history books, and we’re betting she’s already stealing the show up there among the stars.