Public Memorial Tribute to Veteran Actor Pat Hingle Jan. 25 at UNC Wilmington

Friday, January 16, 2009

A Memorial Tribute to veteran actor Pat Hingle will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, in the Mainstage Theatre of the Cultural Arts Building at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The public is invited to attend.

A legendary veteran of stage and screen for the past six decades, Hingle passed away Saturday, Jan. 3, at his Carolina Beach home with his wife, Julia, and family by his side. For the past few years, he had been battling cancer and related health issues. He was 84 years old.

Though probably best known for his role as "Commissioner Gordon" in the "Batman" movies, Pat Hingle was featured in "On the Waterfront," "Splendor in the Grass," "Norma Rae," "Hang 'em High, " "The Grifters," and literally hundreds of other major motion pictures as well as television and theatre productions.

After coming to Wilmington to appear in "Maximum Overdrive" in 1986,he and his wife settled in Carolina Beach in 1990. Since that time, the Hingles have been actively involved in the Wilmington community. As a volunteer, Hingle took time to conduct theatre classes for acting students, perform in local and university film and theatre productions, and mentor several independent film makers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the UNCW Pat Hingle Theatre Guest Artist Fund, UNCW, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wilmingtonburialandcremation.com.

Media contacts:
Francine DeCoursey, 910.763.0288, 910.547.9593 cell or onlocationnc@gmail.com

Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, UNCW, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu