Gail Patrick, born Margaret LaVelle Fitzpatrick on June 20, 1911, in Birmingham, Alabama, was an American film actress and television producer. Known for her cool, calculating on-screen personas, she often portrayed the "other woman" or the antagonist in her films. She appeared in more than 60 films between 1932 and 1948, notably My Man Godfrey (1936), Stage Door (1937), and My Favorite Wife (1940) .

Her journey to Hollywood began unexpectedly while she was studying pre-law at the University of Alabama. Entering a beauty and talent contest on a whim, she won a studio contract, and her Hollywood career took off from there. Her roles stood out for their wit, confidence, and elegance, making her one of the cherished character actresses of her time.

After retiring from acting, she ventured into television production. As Gail Patrick Jackson, she became the executive producer of the Perry Mason television series, which aired from 1957 to 1966. This role positioned her as one of the first female producers in television history and the only female executive producer in prime time during her tenure. Her work earned her the Mystery Writers of America's Raven Award in 1960.

Gail Patrick was married four times. Her first marriage to Robert Howard Cobb, the owner of the famous Brown Derby Restaurant, ended in divorce. Her marriage to Arnold Dean White also ended in divorce. Her third husband was Thomas Cornwell Jackson, a literary agent, with whom she founded Paisano Productions.

They remained married until their divorce in 1969. Her final marriage was to John E. Velde Jr. until her death. She had two children during her marriage to Cornwell Jackson.

She passed away on July 6, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, from leukemia at the age of 69.