Pat Ast

Pat Ast was a notable American actress and model, recognized for her vibrant presence in both the fashion and film industries during the 1970s. She gained prominence as a muse for renowned fashion designer Halston and starred in several of Andy Warhol's cinematic works. Ast's lively spirit shone through in her early years on Fire Island, where she mingled with influential figures, fueling her aspirations in acting, singing, and modeling, all while working as a receptionist in a box factory.

Her breakthrough came when she met director John Schlesinger on Fire Island, leading to her film debut as a party guest in the iconic Midnight Cowboy (1969). Shortly thereafter, Halston took notice of her unique beauty and invited her to model for him, despite her nonconformity to the era's typical standards of thinness. Ast quickly became part of Halston's elite group of models, known as the Halstonettes, alongside luminaries like Pat Cleveland and Anjelica Huston. A memorable moment in her modeling career was when she made a grand entrance out of a cake at the 1972 Coty Awards runway show.

In 1975, Ast relocated to Hollywood to further her acting ambitions, appearing in films such as The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox (1976), Foul Play (1978), and The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981). However, feeling disillusioned with the Los Angeles scene as her career stagnated, she returned to New York to take part in the Broadway musical Nine, based on Fellini's 8 1/2, though her stint was cut short after three months.