Dick Van Patten

Dick Van Patten
Van Patten in April 2010
Born	Richard Vincent Van Patten December 9, 1928 (1928-12-09) (age 82) New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1937–present
Spouse	Pat Van Patten (1954-present)

Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten (born December 9, 1928) is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager.^[1] He later starred in numerous television roles including the long running CBS television series, I Remember Mama and Young Dr. Malone. Later, he would star or co-star in many feature films including Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Charlton Heston's Soylent Green and the Academy Award winning Charly.^[2]

Early life

Van Patten was born in New York City, the son of Josephine Rose (née Acerno), an Italian American who worked in advertising, and Richard Byron Van Patten, a Dutch American interior decorator.^[3] He began work as a model and actor as a child making his Broadway debut at the age of seven. He was successful on the New York stage, appearing in a dozen theatrical plays before reaching his teen years.He later moved to Hollywood and began a lengthy career in film and television.^[4]

Career

Van Patten's career in showbiz began as a child actor on Broadway in 1937 in The Eternal Road as Dickie Van Patten; he went on to appear in twelve other Broadway plays as a teenager. He moved on to television and movies with the 1949 TV series Mama which ran from 1949 to 1957, and as patriarch Tom Bradford on Eight is Enough, 1977 to 1981. Patten also appeared in episodes of Sanford and Son, Banacek, Arrested Development, The Brian Keith Show, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, and Happy Days. In 1999 and 2000, he costarred with Hugh O'Brian, Richard Roundtree, Deborah Winters, and Richard Anderson in the Warren Chaney miniseries, Y2K - World in Crisis.^[5][6][7]

Van Patten had numerous leading roles in motion pictures including Joe Kidd, The Snowball Express and The Santa Trap.^[8] He played the supporting role of Usher #1 alongside Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson in the 1973 film Soylent Green.^[9]

He has appeared in several films directed by Mel Brooks, including High Anxiety, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, as well as cameos in the music videos for "Smells Like Nirvana" and "Bedrock Anthem" by "Weird Al" Yankovic, and on The Weird Al Show.^[10]

Dick Van Patten (left) stars with Richard Anderson, Richard Roundtree, Hugh O'Brian and Deborah Winters in the acclaimed documentary miniseries, Y2K – World in Crisis.

Van Patten co-founded Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989. He also was a commentator for the World Series of Poker from 1993 to 1995. He founded National Guide Dog Month which began in 2008 to raise awareness and money for non-profit guide dog schools in the United States accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation.

On January 12, 2008, Van Patten received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.^[11]

On November 1, 2009, Phoenix Books published "Eighty Is Not Enough", a book co-authored by Van Patten and Robert Baer in which Van Patten shares an 80-year journey of insights and anecdotes through the entertainment industry. He discusses his journey from his humble beginning in Queens, New York; his rise as a childhood star on Broadway during the Great Depression; working as an actor on the radio; the advent of television and his role in the second-ever live situation comedy "I Remember Mama"; a rough period between acting gigs; a rise back to the top that led the TV icon to the lead role on the popular hit show "Eight is Enough;" and subsequent roles in television and movies.^[12]

Patten also played a role in the 2009 film Opposite Day as Jack Benson.

Personal life

Family

Patten in May 2008

He is the older brother of actress Joyce Van Patten and the older half-brother of film director Tim Van Patten and the uncle of actress Talia Balsam. He has been married to Patricia Poole (aka Pat Van Patten) since 1954.

They have three sons, all actors: Vincent Van Patten, Nels Van Patten, and Jimmy Van Patten. Nels is named for the character Dick played on the CBS TV series Mama.

Dick Van Patten is related to several other well-known actors through marriages. His sister Joyce married actor Martin Balsam. They are the parents of actress Talia Balsam. Talia's first husband was actor George Clooney and she is now married to Mad Men actor John Slattery. Dick's son Vince Van Patten is married to The Young and the Restless actress Eileen Davidson, who has played "Ashley" for many years. Dick's other son Nels is married to former Baywatch regular Nancy Valen

Health problems

In January 2006, Van Patten was taken to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering a diabetic stroke. Van Patten, who suffers from Type 2 diabetes, made a full recovery.

Filmography

2012 You'll Never Amount to Anything (pre-production) … Grandpa Beck 2009 Sarah's Choice (video) … Pastor Smith 2009 Opposite Day … Jack Benson 2008 The Christmas Conspiracy (short) … Narrator 2006 2008 The Sarah Silverman Program. (TV series) Dr. Eddie Hackmeyer 2005 Freezerburn … Alan Merkel 2005 Arrested Development (TV series) … Cal Cullen Righteous Brothers (2005) … Cal Cullen Spring Breakout (2005) … Cal Cullen 2004 Quiet Kill … Frank Rubin 2004 7th Heaven (TV series) … James Rodgers, Sr. 2004 The Sure Hand of God … Jamie Denton 2002 The Santa Trap (TV movie) … Santa Claus 2002 Another Pretty Face (TV movie) … Levi Downs 2002 Groom Lake … Irv Barnett 2000 The Price of Air … Mr. Rye 2000 The Road Ahead (Documentary) Host 2000 Big Brother Trouble … Captain Stacey 1999 Y2K: World in Crisis (Documentary) Host 1999 Family Guy (TV series) Tom Bradford 1999 Angel on Abbey Street … Preacher 1995-1998 Touched by an Angel (TV series) Eb / Jerry 1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave (TV series) Sid Glacken 1998 Evasive Action Parole Officer 1997 The Weird Al Show (TV series) The Burglar 1997 Demolition University (video) ... Army General (uncredited) 1996 Boy Meets World (TV series) … Amish Farmer 1996 Love Is All There Is … Dr. Rodino 1996 Maybe This Time (TV series) … Jack 1996 For Goodness Sake II … Game show host 1996 Demolition High (video) … General Wainwright 1995 A Dangerous Place … Principal 1994 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (TV series) … Orphanage Worker / Santa 1994 Baywatch (TV series) … Henry / Sam Guys & Dolls (1994) … Henry/Sam 1994 Burke's Law (TV series) Who Killed Skippy's Master? (1994) 1993 Diagnosis Murder (TV series) … Monty Emerson 1993 The Odd Couple: Together Again (TV movie) … Roy 1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights … The Abbot 1993 The Golden Palace (TV series) … Taylor 1992 Body Trouble … Max 1992 Final Embrace … Larch 1990-1991 WIOU (TV series) ... Floyd Graham 1990 McGee and Me! (TV series) … Graham 1989 Jake Spanner, Private Eye (TV movie) … The Commodore 1989 An Eight Is Enough Wedding (TV movie) ... Tom Bradford 1989 Growing Pains (TV series) ... Nick Simpson 1988 Going to the Chapel … Rick 1988 The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking … Greg The Glue Man 1988 14 Going on 30 (TV movie) 1987 War of the Stars (TV series) 1987 A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (TV movie) … Santa Claus 1987 Rags to Riches (TV series) … Phil Johnson 1987 Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion (TV movie) … Tom Bradford 1987 Spaceballs … King Roland 1987 The Facts of Life (TV series) … Frank Stickle 1986 Combat High (TV movie) … Principal 1986 Picnic (TV movie) … Howard Bevans 1986 Murder, She Wrote (TV series) … District Atty. Fred Whittaker 1985 The Midnight Hour (TV movie) … Martin Grenville 1985 Crazy Like a Fox (TV series) 1983-1985 Hotel (TV series) … Frasier Pratt / Herbert Pitts 1984 The New Mike Hammer (TV series) 1984 Finder of Lost Loves (TV series) … Alan Nettles 1984 Masquerade (TV series) 1978-1984 The Love Boat (TV series) … Charlie Dillinger / Congressman John Whitcomb / George Hayes 1984 The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (TV movie) … Mayor 1973-1983 Insight (TV series) … Jerry 1983 The Fairest of Them All (TV movie) … Host 1983 Too Close for Comfort (TV series) … Arthur 1982 High Powder (TV movie) … Tom Reed 1981 Lunch Wagon … Bernie Simmons (uncredited) 1977-1981 Eight Is Enough (TV series) Tom Bradford 1979 Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker (TV movie) … Herb Thurston 1979 Nutcracker Fantasy … King Goodwin (voice) 1978 With This Ring (TV movie) … Alvin Andrews 1977 High Anxiety … Dr. Wentworth 1976-1977 Happy Days (TV series) Asst. Principal Marvin Conners / Hunsberger

1977 One Day at a Time (TV series) ... Frank 1977 C.P.O. Sharkey (TV series) … Psychiatrist 1977 Gibbsville (TV series) … Patrick Malloy 1976 The Tony Randall Show (TV series) Myron C. Dobbs 1976 The Shaggy D.A. ... Raymond 1976 Freaky Friday ... Harold Jennings 1976 What's Happening!! (TV series) … Mr. Claxton 1975-1976 The Six Million Dollar Man (TV series) … Harry Green / Palmer 1976 The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (TV series) … Jack Wood 1976 Maude (TV series) … Gordon Coleman 1972-1976 The Streets of San Francisco (TV series) … Thurman Barber / John Collins 1976 Phyllis (TV series) … Walter 1976 The Love Boat (TV movie) … O'Neil, the Doctor 1976 Charo and the Sergeant (TV movie) … Chaplain 1976 Ace (TV movie) … Mr. Mason 1976 Gus … Cal Wilson 1976 Treasure of Matecumbe … The Gambler 1974-1976 Barnaby Jones (TV series) … Melvin Pearson / Merle Overton 1972-1976 Emergency! (TV series) … Carter Merkle / Morris Meers 1976 Ellery Queen (TV series) … Billy Geeter 1975 When Things Were Rotten (TV series) … Friar Tuck 1972-1975 Medical Center (TV series) … Dr. Feldman / Dr. Whittaker / Man at Hotel 1975 Ladies of the Corridor (TV movie) … Mr. Humphries 1975 Grandpa Max (TV movie) … Mr. Unger 1973-1975 The Rookies (TV series) … Fullmer / Waldon 1975 Hot L Baltimore (TV series) … A.J. Horn 1975 The Strongest Man in the World … Harry 1974 Adam-12 (TV series) … Harry Curtis 1974 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV series) … Alfred Brindle 1974 Sierra (TV series) … Ed 1974 Ernie, Madge and Artie (TV movie) 1974 Young Love (TV movie) … April's Father 1974 The Girl with Something Extra (TV series) … Morgan 1972-1974 The New Dick Van Dyke Show (TV series) … Max Mathias / Mr. Compton 1974 Chopper One (TV series) 1974 Banacek (TV series) … Donald Morgan 1973 Superdad … Ira Kushaw 1971-1973 Love, American Style (TV series) (segment "Love and the Tattoo") / George (segment "Love and the Parent's Sake") / Jack (segment 'Love and the Particular Girl') / … 1973 Westworld … Banker 1973 Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (TV series) 1973 Adam's Rib (TV series) … Commissioner Hoyt 1973 Thicker Than Water (TV series) … John 1973 Soylent Green … Usher #1 1973 Acts of Love and Other Comedies (TV movie) … Larry Grogman (uncredited) 1972-1973 The Paul Lynde Show (TV series) … Dr. Willis / Wollner 1973 Cannon (TV series) … George Abel 1973 The Brian Keith Show (TV series) … Jerry Mason 1973 McMillan & Wife (TV series) … Henry 1972 Snowball Express … Mr. Carruthers 1971-1972 The Doris Day Show (TV series) … April's Father 1972 Dirty Little Billy … Berle's customer 1972 Banyon (TV series) … Earl Gifford 1972 The Crooked Hearts (TV movie) … Edward, the desk clerk 1972 Hec Ramsey (TV series) … Earl Enright 1971-1972 The Partners (TV series) … Sgt. Nelson Higgenbottom 1972 Joe Kidd … Hotel Manager 1972 Beware! The Blob … Scoutmaster Adleman 1972 The Don Rickles Show (TV series) … David 1972 Sanford and Son (TV series) … Hamlin 1971 Making It … Warren 1971 Great Performances (TV series) … Raymond 1971 Zachariah … The Dude 1971 Confessions of a Top Crime Buster (TV movie) … Sgt. Nelson Higgenbottom 1970 Arnie (TV series) … Walter Granscog / Walker 1970 That Girl (TV series) … Mr. Morse 1970 The Governor & J.J. (TV series) … Bertrum Bannister 1970 I Dream of Jeannie (TV series) … Market Clerk 1968 Charly … Bert (as Richard Van Patten) 1967 The Secret Dream Models of Oliver Nibble (short) … Oliver Nibble (as John Acerno) 1963 Violent Midnight … Police Lt. Palmer 1958 Young Dr. Malone (TV series) … Larry Renfrew (1961-1962) 1961 Naked City (TV series) … Carhop 1959 Rawhide (TV series) … Matt Reston 1958 Mike Hammer (TV series) … Paul Sterovsky 1949-1956 Mama (TV series) … Nels Hansen / Neils / Nels

References

1. ^ NNDB (Dick Van Patten) [1]
2. ^ Internet Movie Database [2]
3. ^ Dick Van Patten Biography (1928-)
4. ^ NNDB (Dick Van Patten) [3]
5. ^ Internet Movie Database (World in Crisis) [4]
6. ^ Screened Reviews (Y2K: World in Crisis) [5]
7. ^ LibraryThing Review [6]
8. ^ Internet Movie Database (World in Crisis) [7]
9. ^ NNDB (Dick Van Patten) [8]
10. ^ "Weird Al" Yankovic: Video Facts
11. ^ "Palm Springs Walk of Stars". http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dick-van-patten-to-be-honored-with-star-on-palm-springs-walk-of-stars-56864732.html. 
12. ^ "Palm Springs Life Magazine article, August 2010". http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/August-2010/A-Man-of-Passion/. 

External links

• Official site
• Dick Van Patten at the Internet Movie Database
• Dick Van Patten at the Internet Broadway Database
• 2007 Interview in the Sherman Oaks Sun, page 16

Persondata
Name	Patten, Dick Van
Alternative names	Patten, Richard Vincent Van
Short description
Date of birth	December 9, 1928
Place of birth	New York City
Date of death
Place of death