- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRichard Vincent Van Patten
- Height1.76 m
- Dick Van Patten began acting as a child. He made his first of 27 Broadway appearances at age seven in "Tapestry in Grey." After, he appeared in numerous films, including Un vendredi dingue, dingue, dingue (1976), Sacré Robin des Bois (1993), and La Folle Histoire de l'espace (1987). His television credits include his best-known role on the 1980s comedy-drama Huit, ça suffit (1977), on which he played Tom Bradford, the patriarchal head of the pack.
Van Patten authored several bestselling books, including "How To Get Your Child Into Show Business" and his autobiography, "Eighty Is Not Enough." He was also known for lending his name to "Natural Balance," a line of high-end dog food that is intended to be indistinguishable from stews and other dishes, that are normally intended for human consumption. He was married to Pat Poole (née Patricia Poole) for 61 years; the union produced three sons: Nels Van Patten, James Van Patten, and Vincent Van Patten.- IMDb mini biography by: Jeff Ballard Public Relations (2014)
- SpousePat Poole(April 25, 1954 - June 23, 2015) (his death, 3 children)
- Children
- RelativesJoyce Van Patten(Sibling)Timothy Van Patten(Half Sibling)Duke Van Patten(Grandchild)Vince Van Patten(Grandchild)Jesse Van Patten(Grandchild)Grace Van Patten(Niece or Nephew)Talia Balsam(Niece or Nephew)
- His friendly personality.
- New York City accent.
- Nasally, whiny voice.
- Founder of "Natural Balance" dog and cat food.
- Met a young, unfamiliar actress Diana Hyland on an episode of the daytime serial, Young Dr. Malone (1958), where she played the husband of the doctor. 19 years later, she co-starred on the dramedy Huit, ça suffit (1977), where she played Van Patten's first TV wife, before passing away, unexpectedly, at the beginning of the 1st season. Of the 9 episodes filmed, Hyland appeared in only 4.
- Tom Bradford, Van Patten's character on Huit, ça suffit (1977), was ranked #33 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
- Older brother of actress Joyce Van Patten. They appeared together, as children, in Reg'lar Fellers (1941), and, decades later, in Faut se les faire! (1971).
- [on the 1981 cancellation of Huit, ça suffit (1977)] Nobody called me to tell me it was canceled. I read it in the paper.
- [on his longest-running acting career]: It was fun doing this and going through my life. I've had a great life. It was exciting. I worked with the most interesting people, and I traveled all over the country
- [Of Adam Rich's drug/alcohol abuse]: There are many child actors, including myself, who never fell into these types of problems. If you're a child actor who can't make the transition (to more adult roles), you can't baby yourself and get involved with dope. Adam was wildly popular (on Eight Is Enough). He was the best part of the show, and then he had a lot of trouble getting roles. He's short, he's in that awkward stage where he's not as cute as he used to be, so he's difficult to cast.
- [Who recalled about his father taking him to different pet stores around New York City]: One week we'd go to Brooklyn; the next week to the Bronx; the next week to Manhattan. Every week I'd buy a different pet. The whole third floor of our house was my menagerie. I had my own little pet shop up there. Everything- snakes, turtles, horned toads and more. In the back yard I had rabbits and a goat. And of course, there was Skippy the dog and Beauty the cat.
- [In 2010]: If a man sits next to you and feels your leg, say loud and clear, 'Stop what you are doing immediately!' And he will stop.
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