John T. Patterson was a television director who was best known for his work on the critically acclaimed drama series The Sopranos. He directed 13 episodes of the show, including the first five season finales. He also worked on other popular shows such as Six Feet Under, Law & Order, and Hill Street Blues. He died in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2005, at the age of 64, after a long struggle with prostate cancer.
Early Life and Career
Patterson was born in Buffalo, New York on April 4, 1940. He joined the United States Air Force at the age of 19, where he navigated B-52 bombers for the Strategic Air Command. He resumed his college studies while a reservist and graduated from the University at Buffalo. He earned a master’s degree at Stanford University in 1970, where he was a classmate of The Sopranos creator David Chase.
Patterson started his career as a director in the mid-1970s, working on various television shows and movies. Some of his notable credits include CHiPs, Magnum P.I., Family Law, The Practice, Carnivàle, CSI, and more than 12 television movies. He was nominated for the Emmy award in 2002 and 2003 for his work on The Sopranos and won The Directors Guild of America award for the show in 2002.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Patterson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s, according to Wikipedia. He underwent surgery and radiation therapy to treat his condition, but the cancer eventually spread to other parts of his body. He continued to work on The Sopranos until his death, directing some of the most memorable episodes of the series.
Patterson’s last episode as a director was “All Due Respect”, the season five finale of The Sopranos, which aired on June 6, 2004. The episode featured a tense confrontation between Tony Soprano and his cousin Tony Blundetto, played by Steve Buscemi, who was also a close friend of Patterson. The episode ended with a cliffhanger that left the fate of Tony Blundetto unresolved.
Legacy and Tributes
Patterson died on February 7, 2005, less than a year after his final episode aired. He was survived by his two children from his marriage to Casey Kelley, whom he divorced in 1995. His son Charles Falk Patterson is also a television director.
The Sopranos dedicated the episode “Kaisha”, which aired on June 4, 2006, to Patterson’s memory. The episode revealed that Tony Blundetto was killed by Tony Soprano in the previous season finale, resolving the cliffhanger that Patterson had directed. The episode also featured a scene where Tony Soprano visited a doctor who told him that he had an elevated PSA level, a possible sign of prostate cancer.
Patterson’s work on The Sopranos and other shows has been praised by critics and viewers for its cinematic quality, emotional depth, and artistic vision. He is widely regarded as one of the best television directors of all time.
