Dick Van Patten

Richard Vincent Van Patten (December 9, 1928 – June 23, 2015) was an American actor, comedian, businessman, and animal welfare advocate. His career spanned seven decades of television, and he was best known for his role as Tom Bradford on the television series Eight Is Enough. Van Patten began as a child actor and found success on the New York stage. He appeared in over a dozen plays as a teenager and worked in radio on Duffy's Tavern. He went on to star in various television roles, including the long-running series Mama and Young Doctor Malone. Additionally, he appeared in several feature films, such as Charly, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Soylent Green. Van Patten was also the founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods and National Guide Dog Month.