- Born
- Died
- Birth namePatty Ann Aylward
- Nickname
- Gracie
- Height5′ 8″ (1.73 m)
- Gracie was born in Newfoundland to an Irish Catholic father and an British Protestant mum. Her father worked for the justice department ward for the criminally insane. His love of tall tales and inappropriate sharing of work stories with his young daughter helped to shape Gracie's humor from an early age, much to her mother's chagrin.
Growing up she spent most of her childhood watching British comedies and silent movies. Well, they weren't actually silent. She was forced to watch them without the volume as not to get caught watching the late night movies. As a child, those PG/R movies were strictly forbidden, so silence was key. She would made up her own story-lines to go along with the images on the screen and hence her memories of many of Hollywood's iconic films are a little warped.
Since 2007, she produced/written comedy shows for the troops and private companies, bringing her to Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Poland, Greece, Bosnia, Japan, Guam, Vietnam, China and Russia. During which time she has survived a plane crash in South East Asia, narrowly missed car bombing in Syria, sprained a leg running from a black bear and then one hour later tripped over her own ego and broke her sprained leg and sprained her good leg - all in the pursuit of her love of international comedy!
Still early in her career, she has already earned 15 television writing credits and has created two non-scripted television shows Comedy Can Television Series (2007-2009) and Comedy in the City (2012-).
Gracie has had seven of her plays produced in the last five years. All comedies; including: The critically acclaimed -"Seven Funerals and a corpse", the award winning - "Island Boys" and the not so good, well, let's face it - tragically awful "The Noble Assistant" - from which she rebounded with the nationally successful Canadian Crap Tour.
Gracie's heart and roots are in storytelling. She feels that it is art form and it takes a lifetime to learn. She will keep learning from anyone who will teach her and keep laughing at how ridiculously enjoyable the ride has been thus far.
In her free time she likes to travel, create lists excuses for not settling down and hanging out with her friends, most of whom are professional tribute artists, circus performers and stand-up comics.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Writer's Network
- Known for her rhythmic dialogue
- Was the Captain of her fencing team while in College.
- Attended a Military Cadet School program for six years (aged 12 to 18) - Gonzaga Royal Canadian Army Cadet program. Completed the program with the rank of Warrant Officer and was presented the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award personally by Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh.
- As a teenager (13-18) she spent her summers at CFB - Canadian Forces Base Gagetown (Camp Argonaut) with the Army Cadet program. The 7 week training program started each morning at 5AM sharp and included drill, weapons/firearms training, rock-climbing, wilderness survival, self defense, first aid and leadership skills.
- Has recently taken the position as Editor in Chief of STAND UP magazine. A Magazine devoted to stand up comedy.
- Is in development of a new Film Project called "Benny Bliss". It will be the first Feature comedy cast entirely with Stan up Comics.
- "I just wanta get through life without having to kill anyone." - When asked what her biggest goal in life was.
- I am not a fan of perfection. I think if people truly give it their all they tend to screw up and make a lot of mistakes. It's what makes us human. That's the type of characters that I like to create. To me the most interesting parts of a person or a character are their flaws and how they deal with those flaws. - Screenwriters Abroad Magazine March 2007
- I used to be bothered when I was constantly referred to as a female writer or a female director. It made me feel like my work was conditional and limited. It doesn't bother me anymore. Now I love it. I roll up my sleeves and get the job done just like the big boys and I can still wear high heels to bed. That's empowering as a female writer. It was a great lesson to learn. - Screenwriter's Abroad Magazine 2007
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