Dick Van Patten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Van Patten
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Van Patten in May 2008
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| Born |
Richard Vincent Van Patten
December 9, 1928 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | June 23, 2015 (aged 86) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, businessman, animal welfare advocate |
| Years active | 1935–2012 |
| Spouse(s) |
Patricia Helon Poole
(m. 1954) |
| Children | 3, including Vincent |
| Relatives | Joyce Van Patten (sister) Tim Van Patten (half-brother) Talia Balsam (niece) Grace Van Patten (niece) |
Richard Vincent Van Patten (born December 9, 1928 – died June 23, 2015) was a famous American actor, comedian, and businessman. He also cared a lot about animals. His career in TV and movies lasted for 70 years!
He is best known for playing Tom Bradford, the dad in the TV show Eight Is Enough. This popular show was on ABC.
Dick Van Patten started acting when he was a child. He was very successful on stage in New York, appearing in many plays as a teenager. He also worked in radio. Later, he starred in many TV shows like "Mama" and Young Doctor Malone. He also appeared in movies such as Charly, Soylent Green, and comedies like Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Spaceballs by Mel Brooks.
Besides acting, Van Patten started his own pet food company, Natural Balance Pet Foods. He also created National Guide Dog Month to help guide dog schools.
Early life
Richard Vincent Van Patten was born on December 9, 1928. He grew up in Kew Gardens, Queens, a part of New York City. His dad, Richard Byron Van Patten, was an interior decorator. His mom, Josephine Rose, worked in advertising.
His younger sister is the actress Joyce Van Patten. His mother's family came from Italy. His father's family had roots in the Netherlands and England.
Dick started working as a model and actor when he was very young. He made his first appearance on Broadway at just seven years old. He was very good at acting on stage in New York City. He performed in about twelve plays before he was even a teenager. Later, he moved to Hollywood to continue his long career in movies and television.
Career
Actor
Dick Van Patten's acting career began in 1935 on Broadway. His first play was Tapestry In Gray. He was known as "Dickie Van Patten" back then. As a teenager, he acted in twelve more Broadway plays, including The Skin of Our Teeth.
He then moved to television. He played Nels Hansen in the CBS series Mama. This show was about a Norwegian-American family living in San Francisco in the early 1900s. It ran for many years, from 1949 to 1957.
In 1975, he played Friar Tuck in When Things Were Rotten. This was a funny TV show about Robin Hood, created by Mel Brooks.
His most famous role was Tom Bradford in Eight Is Enough. This show aired from 1977 to 1981. It was based on a book by journalist Thomas Braden.
Van Patten also appeared in many other popular TV shows. These included Sanford and Son, Happy Days, Growing Pains, and Arrested Development. He had important roles in movies like Joe Kidd and The Santa Trap. He also had a small part in the science fiction film Soylent Green (1973).
He worked with director Mel Brooks on several films. These included High Anxiety, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. He also appeared in music videos for "Weird Al" Yankovic.
On November 20, 1985, Dick Van Patten received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This honor recognized his work in television. He also got a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2008.
In 2009, he wrote a book called Eighty Is Not Enough!. In the book, he shared stories and lessons from his 80 years in the entertainment world. He talked about his journey from a child star to a TV icon.
Other work
Dick Van Patten loved animals very much. In 1989, he helped start a company called Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods. This company makes food for pets.
He also created National Guide Dog Month. This event started in 2008. Its goal is to raise awareness and money for schools that train guide dogs. These schools help people who are blind or have low vision. Van Patten also appeared in TV commercials for Fisher-Price toys in the late 1980s.
Personal life
Family
Dick Van Patten came from a famous Hollywood family. His older sister is actress Joyce Van Patten. His older half-brother is Tim Van Patten, a director and producer.
He married Patricia Helon Poole in 1954, and they stayed together until his death. Patricia was a professional dancer on Broadway. They lived in Sherman Oaks, California. They had three sons, all of whom became actors: Vincent, Nels, and Jimmy.
His family connections extended further. His sister Joyce married actor Martin Balsam. Their daughter, Talia Balsam, is also an actress. Talia was once married to George Clooney and is now married to actor John Slattery. Dick's son, Vince, is married to actress Eileen Davidson.
Illness and death
In January 2006, Dick Van Patten had a diabetic stroke. He had Type 2 diabetes. Luckily, he made a full recovery.
Dick Van Patten passed away on June 23, 2015, in Santa Monica, California. He was 86 years old. Complications from diabetes were the cause of his death.
Willie Aames, who played his son Tommy on Eight Is Enough, said Dick was "truly a gem." Betty Buckley, another co-star from the show, remembered him as a "happy, jovial person" who was "always generous and ready to play." She said he was a "wonderful actor, master of comedy, and a kind and generous human being."
He is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
Honors
On November 20, 1985, Dick Van Patten received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, he was also honored with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars.
See also
In Spanish: Dick Van Patten para niños
