Like in any business, there are families that pass along their talents and interests down through the generations. In the entertainment industry such dynasties include names like Huston, Barrymore, Fonda, Howard, Douglas, Bridges and Arquette. That last name may surprise some folks, but the Arquette family roots reach back to vaudevillian Charles Arquette, whose son (Clifford Charles Arquette) rose to fame in the 1950s as “Charley Weaver.” In between his appearances on the Jack Paar Show and Hollywood Squares, Charley has a son, Lewis Michael Arquette, who managed The Second City theater in Chicago before marrying actress/poet/acting teacher/activist Brenda “Mardi” Nowak and moving to a Subud commune in Front Royal, Virginia, and raising their five children —David Arquette, Patricia Arquette, Richmond Arquette, Robert/Alexis Arquette and Rosanna Arquette — all of whom inherited the family genes of entertainment.
However, while the hippie-style community may have worked for their parents, not all the kids were on board with the lifestyle. When her big sister Rosanna moved to Hollywood to pursue her acting career, Patricia at the age of 15 ran away from home in 1983 to join Rosanna and started her own career in the film and television industry. Not only has it spanned 34 years, but Patricia has also achieved an Academy Award for best supporting actress (“Boyhood”) in 2015 and Emmys for best lead actress (“Medium”) in 2005 and supporting actress (“The Act”) in 2019.
But her life hasn’t been limited to showbiz. She also inherited her mother’s activism gene and has used it with a vengeance to battle breast cancer since Mardi’s death from breast cancer in 1997 at the age of 57.
Bringing that strength and commitment to North Texas on Wednesday, October 27, 5’2” Patricia will be the featured speaker for Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation’s 22nd Annual Celebrating Women Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole.
As Patricia explained, “After losing my mom to breast cancer, I am passionate about encouraging others to get their regular mammograms. Early detection is key to finding the diseases in its most treatable stage, and I am honored to join Celebrating Women in this important fight. After a year where so many women put their health on the back burner, I’m excited to be involved with an organization that encourages women to take control of their health.”
Co-Chairs Marybeth Conlon and Elizabeth Gambrell along with Underwriting Co-Chairs Amy Hegi and Libby Hegi have arranged to have Jones family matriarch Gene Jones, her daughter Charlotte Jones and daughters-in-law Karen Jones and Lori Jones serve as honorary co-chairs.
To join up, contact the Foundation office at 214.820.3136.
In the meantime, schedule that mammogram.
* Photo provided by Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation