Patricia worked for well over two decades, knocking on doors and dedicating herself completely to her craft before seeing any success in her acting career. Patricia lived much of her professional life on the East Coast where she worked in theatre, commercials, Sketch comedy, independent film and TV. Her first experience on a film set came with her first professional job securing a co-starring role opposite Don Johnson in the (1984–1990) hit TV series "Miami Vice".

Patricia's first two film appearances were in the 2002 movies Swimfan and Nightstalker. Rae landed her first Spanish speaking role in the 2003 movie Maria Full of Grace, which earned her an Imagen Awards nomination for Best Supporting Role. Her next two appearances came in the 2004 movie "Cut Off" & the 2006 movie "Midnight Clear". In 2007 Patricia appeared in two more films, "Driftwood" & "Crazy". In 2008 Patricia appeared in another two films, "Chasing the Green" & P.J., where Patricia was nominated for 'Best Supporting Actress in a Feature', for her role of Shelly, at the July 25–31, 2008 Action on Film International Film Festival. In 2009 she had a small part as Maria in the movie "Dozers". Patricia had a busy 2010, appearing in four films that year: Las Angeles, where she played Linda; American Flyer, where she played the role of Maria; Caged Animal, where she played an attorney; and Silverlake Video: The Movie, where she not only played the provocative role of Vikki, but also produced the film. Beginning in 2011 Patricia has appeared in the following three films: Detachment, where she played Ms. Estrada; Tamale Lesson (Video Short), playing Blanca, and her biggest role to date, in the 2013 movie The Big Wedding, where she plays Madonna Soto, the biological Colombian mother of Alejandro Griffin (Ben Barnes).

Rae's stage credits include the one-woman show 'Under Construction', which was a one-woman show, that Rae wrote, based loosely on her childhood. 'The Making of Patricia Rae', which premiered at the 'Stella Adler Conservatory' in 'New York', 'Zoraida', 'Mickey & Roger', 'Late One Sunday Night', 'Latin Lives', 'Faade', 'Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie', and 'The Seagull'. Patricia is a member of the Elephant Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she won a BackStage West Garland Award in 2008 for best ensemble performance in "In Arabia we'd all Be Kings" produced at The Elephant Theater.

Patricia’s journey into the acting world began in elementary school. While in fourth grade, the drama Teacher noticed her and recommended she be in the musical "Oliver Twist". She moved to Florida in her teens where she resumed her scholastic activities, and with the support of the Drama club, was able to find a successful and comfortable niche in acting. Rae earned a series of awards in regional and statewide competitions with her drama troupe. Patricia went on to study at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.