Born as John Patrick Goggin in Louisville, Kentucky, he received the coveted Pulitzer Prize for The Teahouse of the August Moon, in 1953. He also received the "William Inge Award for Lifetime Achievement in the American Theatre" at the "Tribute to Playwright John Patrick".

Patrick's many stage successes include The Willow and I, The Hasty Heart, The Curious Savage, and Everybody Loves Opal. His notable successes as a writer of films include Three Coins in a Fountain, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, High Society, Les Girls, and The World of Suzie Wong.

He was found dead in his room, in Florida, with a plastic bag over his head. His death was ruled a suicide.