Dick Van Patten

Dick Van Patten gained immense popularity in American households for his television portrayal of Tom Bradford, a father raising eight kids, while working as a newspaper columnist for the Sacramento Register in the hit television series, "Eight is Enough."

The highly successful comedy-drama occupied Van Patten's talents from 1977-81, after which he reprised the role of Bradford for the series' two, sequel television films,"Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion," (1987) and "An Eight is Enough Wedding" (1989).

Van Patten also starred as Captain Merrill Steubing in the two-hour movie pilot of the original "Love Boat." CBS aired both the situation comedy, "Love Boat" and the comedy-drama, "Eight is Enough" simultaneously and Van Patten was forced to choose between these opportune, male lead roles.

Van Patten's talents have been recognized for decades. His television career was destined to succeed when back in 1949 as a young actor, he left the Broadway stage for the role of Nels Hansen in one of television's first family sitcoms, "Mama" (aka "I Remember Mama.") The show gave his career a fantastic launch, providing tremendous visibility for the actor.

Other series offers naturally followed. Van Patten went on to appear as Larry Renfrew on the soap opera, "Young Dr. Malone," followed by the role of Max (the boss) on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." After production on "Eight in Enough," Van Patten continued to work constantly, returning to series television in, "WIOU" (1990).

His profile of television and guest star credits, while too long to list in its entirety includes: "When Things Were Rotten," "The Odd Couple: Together Again," "Love Boat: The Next Wave," "Lois & Clark," "Wonder Woman," "The Weird Al Show," "Boy Meets World," "Touched By An Angel," "Baywatch," "Diagnosis Murder." "Happy Days," "Love American Style," "I Dreamed of Jeannie" and "Chips!"

Dick Van Patten is also an acclaimed Broadway star. He received the Donaldson Award for "The Lady Who Came to Stay" in 1941. Among many theater credits, he co-starred with Henry Fonda in "Mr. Roberts" and appeared with Tallulah Bankhead in "The Skin of Our Teeth." The actor made a handful of appearances in features, most notably in Mel Brooks' films which included: "High Anxiety," and "Robin Hood: "Men in Tights."