Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten (December 9, 1928 – June 23, 2015) was an American actor, best known for his role as Tom Bradford on the TV comedy-drama Eight is Enough. Van Patten was a Roman Catholic. He began work as a child actor. He later starred in television and movie roles including Mama and Love Boat. Van Patten is the founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods.
Van Patten was born in Kew Gardens, New York, the son of Josephine Rose (née Acerno), and Richard Byron Van Patten. His mother was of Italian descent, while his father had Dutch and English ancestry.
Van Patten co-founded Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989. He was the older brother of actress Joyce Van Patten, the older half-brother of film director Tim Van Patten. He had been married to Patricia Poole (aka Pat Van Patten) since 1954. They lived in Sherman Oaks, California.
They had three sons, all actors: Vincent Van Patten, Nels Van Patten, and Jimmy Van Patten.
Van Patten died on June 23, 2015 at the age of 86 from diabetic complications in Santa Monica, California.
Please Pray for the repose of his soul and his family.
Picture:
Nels, Dick, Pat and Jimmy Van Patten
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