Meet Marnette Patterson

Hi Marnette, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
As a second generation LA native, I grew up around the entertainment industry. My grandparents actually met in the commissary at RKO Studios which is now the Paramount Pictures Studio lot. My aunt was an actress and worked with James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor and my grandfather was a singer on Broadway. But there is another side of Hollywood, behind what you see. As much as I had fond memories of growing up in front of the camera there was still a lot of rejection. I came from a single parent home and we relied on my income as well. At times it was difficult. However, my mom always instilled a great amount of self worth and self esteem which helped tremendously. It was only my mom, aunt and grandma in my entire family and we had to figure out how to survive without anyone else to hold onto.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been an actress since childhood. I have had the pleasure to work with everyone from  Bradley Cooper to Amy Adams and Clint Eastwood. After filming American Sniper I paused acting to focus on my son Hudson and daughter London. It was the best thing I could have done. Even while on hiatus I was asked to be in a couple of projects which I am so grateful for because I thought I would have to give up acting completely. Being a mom is the most rewarding thing in my life and I truly cherish it everyday. As my kids start finding their way, I have time to focus on my goals. Recently we finished filming ‘The Charisma Killers’. I was so grateful to be both an actress and work as a producer on the project. I play an assassin and have to do quite a few stunts. I did not use a stunt double and have to say it was very fun. I partnered with Michael Rossi and Italian Cowboy Productions. We are producing our next film ‘Censor Addiction’ set to film early 2024.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Perseverance, a calm focus, a support system or mentor. I have also realized my own capacity. I don’t really do a lot of social media because I feel it is too distracting in a way. That is very abnormal for our time right now. Sometimes it’s difficult to go against the grain but for me I feel better not putting too much energy into it. People say I am a very calm person and I think not having too many distractions is the key to that.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Writing a screenplay that I am really proud of has been a major accomplishment for me. I wrote a script at 17 that actually mirrored celebrities we know now but weren’t famous yet. It was based in Calabasas (no one had even heard of Calabasas) and it was about how the dad wanted to be a woman. I was told it was amazing but was too edgy. Flash forward to that exact situation happening today. My computer was lost and the script was too. It was devastating. From that screenplay however, I was told that I should be a writer. I just never knew what I was passionate about but writing comedy was always my strength. To have finished this new script and to be getting the feedback I’m getting has been exciting. Between that and producing I feel growth in an entirely different area. I am just grateful to still be creative and also have a family. Thank you!