Actor Dick Van Patten, of Sherman Oaks, Dies at 86

For a generation of American kids, Dick Van Patten was the calm, kind, wise TV dad who presided over Eight is Enough. Van Patten died Tuesday morning in a Santa Monica hospital of complications from diabetes. He was 86.

His acting career began in the 1930s on Broadway, then moved to TV in 1949 in the show I Remember Mama. While his long career included stage, screen and TV right up to the 2010s, he will best be remembered for his role as Tom Bradford, the father of eight children on Eight Is Enough from 1977-81.

Van Patten’s memorable film roles include appearances in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Solyent Green and Charly.

A successful businessman, Van Patten started Natural Balance Pet Foods.

He is survived by his wife Pat, whom he married in 1954, and sons Nels, James and Vincent.

His show business family includes sister actress Joyce Van Patten, half-brother director-producer Timothy Van Patten, and niece Talia Balsam.

Van Patten lived in Sherman Oaks.

--Image by Phil Konstantin via Wikimedia