Updated: April 22, 2013

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea would not have been the same without the presence of Paul Trinka, who, for four years portrayed seaman Patterson - one of Seaview's many crewmen without a first name. That piece of trivia notwithstanding, we actually know more about "Patterson" than we do about Trinka. We do know that Paul Trinka was an avid motorcycle enthusiast. Also, in addition to his acting chores on Voyage, Trinka had a second job, as maitre d' in a Hollywood restaurant called The Aware Inn. According to his fellow castmates, Trinka had a bit of wanderlust in him.

After Voyage finished up each season, Trinka would get on a plane and head beyond the blue horizon. He travelled to Tahiti and other exotic places, before it was in vogue to do so. He usually came back broke, but he came back happy. And he encouraged his friends to try the experience. Although Paul Trinka died very young (aged just 41 on 28th December 1973), it is clear he managed to live his life to the fullest.