Actress Edi Patterson is scoring some good roles in Hollywood films

After completing her theatre degree, Edi Patterson (B.A. ’97) cut her acting chops in improvisation, first in Austin with Theatresports, and then with the legendary Groundlings comedy troupe.

These days, Patterson is racking up big and small screen acting credits in Los Angeles. She’s just landed a role in Knives Out, a modern-day murder mystery alongside Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson and  Christopher Plummer. The movie, which is currently filming, is being directed by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Looper.) 

Patterson is also co-starring with John Goodman and Danny McBride in “The Righteous Gemstones,” an HBO TV series about a family of televangelists. 

It is the second HBO comedy for Patterson. She was Jen Abbott in “Vice Principals,” which also starred McBride.  

The actress also has a role in the upcoming Troupe Zero, from Amazon Studios. The film also stars Oscar winners Viola Davis and Allison Janney, along with Jim Gaffigan, and Mike Epps.

Patterson has also been a guest writer for “Saturday Night Live,” appeared in “Blackish” on ABC and continues as a member of the Groundlings main company. 

“I think the only real superpower you have as an actor, or as a human for that matter is that you’re YOU. No one else can do that, and the second you try to be what you think people will like, or try to be “good”, or overplan, etc. your superpower is being compromised and people can feel it. Go hard into what you and only you know to be the truth of a character, a moment, whatever. And know that that may change from moment to moment if you’re really present. 

“I feel that being an improviser has changed, shaped, opened, and bettered my life in every way. Learning to be open to the flow and to whatever the moment holds has informed not only my career as an actor and writer, but also my appreciation of life and people in general.” - Edi Patterson