Dick Van Patten

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Dick Van Patten in April 2010

Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten (December 9, 1928 – June 23, 2015)[1] was an American actor, businessman, and animal welfare advocate. He was best known for his role as Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough.

Early life[change | change source]

Van Patten was born in Queens, New York.

Career[change | change source]

He began working as a child actor. He was successful on the New York stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager. He later starred in many 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 movies including Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Charlton Heston's Soylent Green and the Academy Award winning Charly.

Personal life[change | change source]

Van Patten is the founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods and National Guide Dog Month. Van Patten has been married to Patricia Poole since 1954. They have three children; Vincent Van Patten, Nels Van Patten, and Jimmy Van Patten.

Death[change | change source]

Van Patten died at the age of 86 from diabetic complications in Santa Monica, California.[2]

References[change | change source]

  1. Dick Van Patten Biography (1928-)
  2. "Dick Van Patten, venerable TV star best known for 'Eight is Enough,' dead at 86". New York Daily News.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Dick Van Patten at Wikimedia Commons