Patricia Wilder: Movies & Filmography

Patricia Wilder, affectionately known by her nickname "Honeychile," was born on September 8, 1913, in Macon, Georgia, to Oscar Owen Wilder and Laura Bryant Wilder. Growing up alongside twelve brothers and sisters in the American South, she developed a vibrant personality that would later define her career in entertainment. By the mid-1930s, Wilder had made her way to New York City, where she began her professional journey as a showgirl at the prestigious Palace Theater. It was here that she first caught the attention of legendary entertainer Bob Hope, working as a showgirl for his performances and establishing a professional relationship that would prove instrumental to her career. Her work with Hope extended beyond the stage to radio shows, where she remained a frequent collaborator throughout her time in the entertainment industry. This early period in New York served as a launching pad for her ambitions in Hollywood, where she would soon transition from live performance to the silver screen.

Wilder's film career commenced in 1936 when she secured her first role alongside James Stewart in the film Speed, marking the beginning of a brief but notable presence in cinema. That same year, she appeared in Wanted! Jane Turner with Gloria Stuart and Lee Tracy, and made her first on-screen appearance with Bob Hope in Walking on Air. Her filmography continued to expand through 1937 with roles in New Faces of 1937 alongside Milton Berle and Joe Penner, as well as On Again-Off Again with Marjorie Lord. In 1938, she appeared in four films, including My Lucky Star with Buddy Ebsen and Cesar Romero, and the Shirley Temple vehicle Little Miss Broadway, culminating with Thanks for the Memory alongside her longtime collaborator Bob Hope. Beyond her professional achievements, Wilder's personal life garnered significant attention: she married reporter Robin "Curly" Harris in 1935, Argentine millionaire Albert Cernadas in 1941, and finally Prince Alexander zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst in 1951, becoming a princess and remaining married to him until his death in 1984. She famously had a relationship with King Farouk of Egypt in the 1940s, later recalling him as the lover with the finest sense of humor. Wilder passed away in New York City on August 11, 1995, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the worlds of Hollywood glamour and European aristocracy.