Dick Van Patten has passed away at age 86 due to complications from diabetes. Eight is Enough was one of the first TV shows I remember watching as a kid. He seemed like the perfect dad.
I think a lot of us fell in love with his son Vince Van Patten all over again when his wife Eileen Davidson joined the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Vince peeking in the garage while the women were brawling was one of the highlights of the season.
Thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
Vince looks so much like his Dad now. I always think of Eight is Enough when I see Vince on RHOBH. Prayers for the family.
Me too! I just read that Dick passed away, and another piece of my childhood died. Like when Robert Reed died. Tom Bradford was like Super Dad. I watched Eight is Enough religiously. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Mr.Van Patten, rest in peace.
I adored him. His pet food brand is fantastic; I buy it to this day for my cats.
Dick Van Patten sold Natural Balance pet foods to Del Monte Corporation in 2013. Although the price is the same, you are buying food of lesser quality. Del Monte immediately changed all formulations to maximize profit using cheaper ingredients, more fillers, more preservatives, more of what we don’t want in high quality pet food, less of what we expect. Because, giant high-profit-driven food mega-conglomerate. I no longer buy Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food because it “ain’t what it used to be,” and it costs exactly what it used to.
I’m feeling like an unsympathetic you-know-what. Dick Van Patten was a lovely man and a fine actor. My condolences to his family and his many fans to whom he brought so much joy. He was also a dedicated animal rights activist and founded a company that produced healthy, nutritious pet foods for many years.
Always enjoyed his work, plus the fact that he and his wife stayed together and raised kids in the chaos of Hollywood….and his pet food brand is good too. May his memory be a blessing.
Eight Is Enough was one of those shows I would never miss an episode. Dick seemed like a father that would be a great dad in real life. My condolences to all of his family and friends. I am glad Eileen, who I have always admired, had him as her FIL. Vince seems like a good example of a son that had good parenting. RIP, Dick Van Patten.
Rest in Peace Mr. VP. My deepest sympathies to Vince, Eileen & the entire family. I never missed Eight Is Enough. It was a feel good show that reminds me of my childhood and such a simpler time. The Bradfords were very much like my own family and I could totally relate.
May God wrap you in His loving and graceful arms and watch over the family.
You will be missed, Sir.
So sad! I always enjoyed his work. He always came across as a nice person. He had to be a good soul to have had such a long marriage and strong family. Best wishes to Pat and the entire Van Patten clan.
So sad! I always respected him and his marriage. I never remember reading anything negative about him. He seemed like a genuinely nice person. May he rest in peace. Prayers to his family.
1989-1990–pre TIVO and DVRs, so I would not answer the phone–I think it was Thursday night: Eight is Enough, Knott’s Landing, and Twin Peaks. Eight is Enough was a great show. The cast was filled with excellent actors. RIP to a wonderful Dad.
you are a touch off on years and networks…just sayin’
Because it is important to correct people in the comments of a memorial thread. Everyone was being so kind, and the…well you happened. There is always someone.
I guess 86 was enough. 🙂
Don’t let it put a damper on your birthday, birthday girl!
So sad…
RIP Dick.. had a serious crush on Vince and Chachi(Scott Baio)…Eight is Enough was such a staple to idea of family dynamics to this day in a crazy childhood world.Bless the family…
meant to say..to my idea of a family
LOVED 8 is Enough and Mr. van Patten. It was nice to see him in a lead role after all the supporting roles he’d played over the years.
How very sad. Dick Van Patten had a long, long career going all the way back to the 1930’s and Broadway and Vaudeville.
Eight is Enough was appointment television for me at the time. I think, though, that my favorite performance of his was as the harried, nervous, and intimidated psychiatrist in Mel Brooks’s High Anxiety. Hilarious! Also, I always remember with a chuckle his turn in Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker…as Charlene Tilton’s father!
Condolences to his family, who I’m sure will miss him dearly.
Another fan of High Anxiety! Condolences to all who loved him, he was a part of many of our lives.
@belladonna:
Yep, I LOVE High Anxiety. For years, I used to annoy my mother with my Nurse Diesel impersonations! (“Shoory if I dishturbed you…”)
He was one of my favorite TV dad’s. I’m embarrassed to say that until reading this post I didn’t realize Vince was his son but looking at this photo he is the splitting image of his dad. My sympathies to Vince, Eileen and their family.
So sad. I loved his work, too. It seems all my favorites are dying out. Makes me feel really old. R.I.P.
Me too Cat! I’m with you…
I’m with you Cat, I just heard, very sad
This is so sad, had not heard of his passing. Seemed like such the talented, sweet, genuine man. And funny. RIP and condolences to his family & friends.
So sad for his passing. Happy he lived a long and prosperous life.
After seeing Vince and his brothers on RHOBH, I was so hoping for an appearance by Papa Van Patten next season. Oh well.
TT, You always bring the entertainment news I want to know about.
Somehow I missed this. I really liked him on eight is enough. Thank you for honoring him