Who is Pat Crawford Brown?

Pat Crawford Brown was an American actress who achieved a certain level of notoriety as a character actor in various TV commercials. Born in 1929 in New York City, Brown began her acting career in the 1970s, and quickly transitioned into commercial work. She appeared in numerous ads for a wide range of products, including GEICO, Cheerios, and Progressive Insurance.

One of Brown's most memorable roles was as the Greyhound bus ticket agent, "Ms. Swanbeck", in a long-running series of commercials for the company. Her no-nonsense attitude and deadpan delivery made her a fan favorite, and helped cement her reputation as one of the most recognizable commercial actors of her time.

In addition to her commercial work, Brown also acted in various TV shows and movies throughout her career. She appeared in popular sitcoms like "The Drew Carey Show" and "Seinfeld," as well as dramas like "Desperate Housewives" and "Gilmore Girls." She also had supporting roles in movies such as "The Rocketeer” and "Norbit.”

Despite her success as a character actor, Brown remained modest about her accomplishments, once saying in an interview, “I’m not really a star. I’m just a character actor.” Sadly, Pat Crawford Brown passed away in 2019 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of memorable roles and a lasting impact on the industry.