(December 9, 1928 – June 23, 2015)
Richard Vincent “Dick” Van Patten was an American actor, businessman, and animal welfare advocate, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television comedy-drama Eight is Enough.
He began work as a child actor and was successful on the New York stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager. He later starred in numerous television roles including the long running CBS television series, Mama and Young Dr. Malone. Later, he would star or co-star in many feature films including Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Charlton Heston’s Soylent Green and the Academy Award-winning Charly. Van Patten is the founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods and National Guide Dog Month.
His death was confirmed on June 23, 2015 after being ill for some time. He was 86.
