I often find myself drawn to the shadowed corners of Hollywood history, where glamour intertwines with secrets like vines creeping over forgotten estates. Arthur Patrick Lake, a figure both enigmatic and tragic, embodies this blend. Born around 1943 in the sun-drenched sprawl of California, he emerged from a lineage that reads like a script from the golden age of cinema. As the son of a beloved actor and a woman shrouded in rumor, his life unfolded against a backdrop of inherited wealth and personal turmoil. I see him as a bridge between eras, connecting the vaudeville stages of the early 20th century to the stunt-filled sets of 1970s television.
Roots in Entertainment Royalty
Arthur Patrick’s immediate family pulsed with the heartbeat of show business. His father, Arthur Lake, born Arthur Silverlake Jr. in 1905, carved out a career that spanned decades. Starting in vaudeville, he transitioned to silent films and then found enduring fame as Dagwood Bumstead in the Blondie series beginning in 1938. That role, with its 28 films, radio shows, and television adaptations, made him a household name. He died in 1987 from a heart attack in Indian Wells, leaving behind a legacy of comedic timing and family devotion. His marriage to Patricia Van Cleve Lake in 1937 at the opulent San Simeon estate lasted nearly 50 years, a rare steadfast bond in Hollywood’s fleeting world.
Patricia, born in 1923, added layers of intrigue. Publicly known as the niece of actress Marion Davies, she carried whispers of a deeper connection. On her deathbed in 1993 from lung cancer, she reportedly confessed to being the illegitimate daughter of Davies and media titan William Randolph Hearst. This revelation, if true, elevated Arthur Patrick to the status of Hearst’s grandson. Patricia’s life mirrored a novel’s plot: travels, parties, and an alleged affair with Errol Flynn. She inherited trusts from Hearst and Davies, though poor management eroded much of the fortune. Her warmth toward her son contrasted with the family’s hidden fractures.
Extended Family Ties
As I go deeper, I find a network of relatives spanning generations and sectors. Arthur Silverlake Sr. and Edith Goodwin, both born in 1883, were Arthur Patrick’s paternal grandparents. Being circus artists, they ingrained a talent for showmanship in the family. Another link in the entertainment fabric was his aunt, Florence Lake, who was born in 1904 and died in 1980. She starred in movies including The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Driven by those constant rumors, the maternal side shines even more brightly. Grandparents Marion Davies, who was born in 1897 and passed away in 1961, hosted renowned parties and excelled as a silent cinema performer in parts like The Patsy. Born in 1863 and passing away in 1951, William Randolph Hearst established a media conglomerate that popularized yellow journalism. Among the great-grandparents were the mining magnate and senator George Hearst, who was born in 1820 and died in 1891; the philanthropist Phoebe Hearst, who was born in 1842 and died in 1919; Bernard J. Douras, who was born in 1857 and died in 1935; and Rose Reilly, who was born in 1863 and died in 1941.
Marion Rose Lake, sometimes known as Mary Collins, was Arthur Patrick’s sibling. The Hearst-Davies entourage encircled them during their beach and desert summers as children in Santa Monica and Indian Wells. Patricia Lake Hashi, one of his four children, later candidly called him a “raging monster” and a “peaceful dude.” He was married. Shortly before he passed away, he remarried a woman he had met later in life, and the wedding took place at Bullhead City, Arizona’s Universal Life Church. A man negotiating the double-edged sword of privilege was depicted by these affectionate yet tense relationships.
A Modest Path in Hollywood’s Shadow
Unlike his father’s stardom, Arthur Patrick’s career flickered modestly. He dropped out of school as a teenager, rejecting formal education in favor of life’s unscripted lessons. By age 18, he owned eight cars, a symbol of the family’s wealth from Hearst trusts and Davies’ bequests, like a Steinway piano and jewelry. Yet, he ventured into acting and stunt work, appearing in television series such as Wonder Woman from 1975 to 1979 and Baa Baa Black Sheep, also known as Black Sheep Squadron, from 1976 to 1978.
His achievements were personal triumphs amid inconsistency. As a stuntman, he brought action to screens, contributing to productions between sporadic gigs. Financially, he relied on those trusts, but struggles with alcohol led to desperate moments, like pawning a ruby-diamond-sapphire American-flag pin inherited from Davies. He once called himself a “trust-fund junkie,” a candid admission that humanized his battles. Physically, he stood tall and blond with deep-set blue eyes, traits his mother linked to Hearst, resembling a faded photograph from a bygone era.
Personal Struggles and Tragic End
Life’s undercurrents pulled Arthur Patrick into turbulence. Alcohol dependency shadowed his days, turning privilege into a precarious ledge. His daughter Patricia reflected on his dual nature, a storm and calm intertwined. The family’s history of secrets—Patricia’s rumored parentage, the squandered fortunes—likely weighed on him like an unseen anchor.
Tragedy struck on April 6, 1994, when he died at age 51 in Blythe, California, from injuries in an automobile accident. This sudden end left his four children to navigate his estate amid disputes with his second wife. His passing marked the close of a chapter, yet the echoes of his lineage persist.
Key Milestones in Chronological Order
To grasp the rhythm of Arthur Patrick’s life, I compiled this timeline. It captures pivotal moments, blending family events with personal ones.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1883 | Paternal grandparents Arthur Silverlake Sr. and Edith Goodwin born. |
| 1904 | Aunt Florence Lake born. |
| 1905 | Father Arthur Lake born. |
| 1923 | Mother Patricia Van Cleve Lake born. |
| 1937 | Parents marry at San Simeon estate. |
| ~1943 | Arthur Patrick Lake born in California. |
| 1949-1950 | Family lives in Santa Monica; early travels begin. |
| 1950s-1960s | Drops out of school; owns multiple cars by age 18. |
| 1961 | Rumored grandmother Marion Davies dies. |
| 1970s | Begins acting and stunt work. |
| 1975-1979 | Appears in Wonder Woman episodes. |
| 1976-1978 | Features in Baa Baa Black Sheep. |
| 1980 | Aunt Florence Lake dies. |
| 1987 | Father Arthur Lake dies of heart attack in Indian Wells. |
| 1993 | Mother Patricia dies of lung cancer, reportedly confessing Hearst parentage. |
| 1994 | Remarries; dies April 6 in car accident at age 51. |
This table reveals a life bookended by births and losses, with creative sparks in between.
Legacy Through Descendants
Arthur Patrick’s story lives on through his children. With four offspring, including Patricia Lake Hashi, who shared poignant tributes, his influence ripples forward. They inherited not just assets but the weight of a storied past. I imagine them sifting through heirlooms, piecing together a puzzle of glamour and grit.
The broader family legacy, tied to Hearst’s empire and Davies’ sparkle, positions him as a quiet heir to American aristocracy. His existence, veiled in rumor, reminds me of a hidden room in a grand mansion, filled with forgotten treasures.
FAQ
Who was Arthur Patrick Lake’s famous father?
Arthur Lake, his father, gained fame as Dagwood Bumstead in the Blondie franchise, starring in 28 films starting in 1938, plus radio and TV adaptations. Born in 1905, he began in vaudeville and died in 1987.
What rumors surrounded his mother’s parentage?
Patricia Van Cleve Lake was publicly Marion Davies’ niece, but rumors persisted she was Davies’ and William Randolph Hearst’s secret daughter. She allegedly confessed this in 1993 before dying of lung cancer.
How many children did Arthur Patrick Lake have?
He had four children from his first marriage. One daughter, Patricia Lake Hashi, described him with mixed emotions, highlighting his complex personality.
What was his career like?
He worked as an actor and stuntman, with credits in 1970s TV shows like Wonder Woman (1975-1979) and Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976-1978). His path was modest compared to his father’s.
When and how did he die?
He passed away on April 6, 1994, at age 51, from injuries in a car accident in Blythe, California. He had remarried months earlier.
What financial challenges did he face?
Despite trusts from Hearst and Davies, he struggled with alcohol and once pawned heirlooms. He owned eight cars by 18 but labeled himself a “trust-fund junkie.”
Who were his great-grandparents?
They included George Hearst (1820-1891), a mining tycoon; Phoebe Hearst (1842-1919), a philanthropist; Bernard J. Douras (1857-1935); and Rose Reilly (1863-1941).
