Trivia

He lost the lead role in the film Elmer Gantry (1960), which could have been a turning point in his screen career, when he, trying to escape a stalled elevator in his apartment building on the West Side, fell more than 50 feet down the shaft. He fractured his skull, hip, wrist, and most of the ribs on his left side, also breaking his left leg in three places. A finger had to be amputated. Near death for two weeks, he spent a year relearning to walk. Burt Lancaster inherited the role and won an Oscar.

Serving on the destroyer USS Marshall during World War II, he later returned to the military during the Korean War as a boilerman technician in the Navy.

Went to the University of Texas in 1942 on a tuba scholarship.

Diagnosed in November 2006 with myelodysplasia, a blood disease. He died in early 2009.

Worked various jobs during his salad days -- shoe salesman, playground attendant, Bible salesman, farmhand, usher, waiter, and as a file clerk at Bloomingdale's.

Studying acting with Uta Hagen with the Herbert Berghof Acting Studio in NYC, he later was a strong disciple of the Actors Studio in New York. It was Elia Kazan, who gave Hingle his big screen break by casting him in the unbilled role of a bartender in On the Waterfront (1954). Later he played Warren Beatty's browbeating father in Kazan's Splendor in the Grass (1961). Kazan also cast him as the original Gooper on Broadway in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

In his last appearance as Commissioner Gordon in the Batman series, he worked with Uma Thurman, whose first husband, Gary Oldman, succeeded him in the role in Batman Begins (2005).

Along with Michael Gough, he is one of only two actors to appear in Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997).

Had three children, Bill, Jody and Molly, by first wife Alyce.

Appearing on Broadway in a revival of the musical "1776" as Benjamin Franklin. (August 1997)

The only son of three children whose father, a contractor, died when he was an infant.

He was awarded the 1983 Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Performance for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1958 Tony Award as best supporting or featured actor (dramatic) for "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.".

The little finger of his left hand is missing.

The little finger of his left hand is missing. as is noticable in the film Hang 'Em High.

Pat was a grandfather of 11: Matthew, Nicholas, Emily, Peter, Sean, Britney, Megan, Brendon, Shannon, Noah, and Colin.