Born in Philadelphia, Pennyslvania and raised in New Jersey, Patterson attended Rutgers University while pursuing a degree in comparative literature. He began studying acting in New York with renowned acting coaches Robert Lewis and Sondra Lee. He was exposed to the teachings of such luminaries as Paul Newman, Arthur Penn and Frank Corsaro at The Actors Studio, where he appeared in numerous productions such as Rasputin and Miss Julie.

Since then, Patterson appeared on the big screen in Little Big League with Timothy Busfield and Jason Robards, and in Three Wishes with Patrick Swayze and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. He also starred in the independent films Highway 395 and Rhapsody in Bloom with Penelope Ann Miller.

On television, he has had the distinction of landing romantic roles guest-starring opposite some appealing leading women. On Seinfeld, Patterson was deemed "sponge-worthy" by Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), had a profound effect on Grace (Debra Messing) in the "Das Boob" episode of Will & Grace, and played the love interests of Jennifer Grey in It's Like, You Know and Sharon Lawrence in Fired Up. He has also guest-starred on Arli$$ and Get Real. Among Patterson's recent projects is voicing the character of Lieutenant Farraday in the 2004 animated series Justice League Unlimited, from Warner Bros. Animation.