Link (http://www.people.com/article/dick-van-patten-dies-eight-is-enough-love-boat)

Actor Dick Van Patten, perhaps best known as patriarch Tom Bradford on the '80s series Eight Is Enough, has died. He was 86.

Van Patten died Tuesday morning at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, due to complications from diabetes, PEOPLE confirms.

The actor was born in Kew Gardens, New York, in 1928 and began his career as a child star and model. He made his Broadway debut when he was 7 years old in Tapestry in Gray. He went on to appear in nearly 30 more Broadway shows.

Van Patten made the jump to television with the role of Nels Hansen in I Remember Mama, which ran from 1949 to 1957.

He also went on to act in numerous other TV shows including The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Happy Days, The Love Boat and, more recently, Arrested Development, That '70s Show and Hot in Cleveland.

In November, the actor joined his Love Boat castmates for a reunion in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to help christen a new Regal Princess cruise ship and celebrate 50 years of Princess Cruises.

He also acted in various Disney films, along with three movies directed by Mel Brooks (High Anxiety, Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.) In 2009, Van Patten penned an autobiography, Eighty Is Not Enough, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Van Patten, whom he was married to for more than 60 years, and three sons.

TORONTO — Actor Dick Van Patten, best known for playing patriarch Tom Bradford on the ’80s series Eight is Enough, died Tuesday morning. He was 86.

Van Patten died in a California hospital of complications from Type 2 diabetes.

Born in New York, he worked as a child actor in several stage productions — and made his Broadway debut at the age of seven in Tapestry In Gray.

After moving to Hollywood, Van Patten he worked steadily in television. He starred in the series Mama from 1949 to 1957 and Eight is Enough from 1977 to 1981. He was also a favourite on The Love Boat.

Van Patten also appeared in episodes of shows like Sanford and Son, Cannon, Emergency!, Happy Days and, more recently, Arrested Development and Hot in Cleveland.

His movie credits include 1972’s Joe Kidd and Snowball Express and 1976’s Freaky Friday.

He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Patricia, and sons Vincent, Nels and Jimmy.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2070180/eight-is-enough-star-dick-van-patten-dies-at-86/

He's reunited with Lani O'Grady and Diana Hyland in heaven.

Looks like we were posting at the same time.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=338037

I was just coming to here to post the same thing. RIP Dick Van Patten.

Sad to hear! RIP Dick !

One of the great TV dads of all time and he always seemed like such a down to Earth person. So sad. R.I.P. Dick. :(

R.I.P. Dick Van Patten.

Very sad news, may he rest in peace.

Tom Bradford was the last of the TV dad who was strong and not a clown like today.

Dick Van Patten portrayed Tom Bradford well. Loved his other shows I have seen in in. RIP!!

:rip: Dick Van Patten

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eight-is-actor-willie-aames-804597

“He was the most positive, kindest man,” Aames writes in an appreciation of Van Patten.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eight-is-actor-willie-aames-804597


'Eight Is Enough' Actor Willie Aames Remembers Dick Van Patten: "He Was the Leader of Our Show"



The 54-year-old former child actor reveals he only saw his TV dad get mad once in four years, when a stalker threatened his son's safety: "He loved and adored his family."


Actor Willie Aames had appeared on six TV series before landing the role of Tommy Bradford on ABC's 1970's drama Eight is Enough. But to hear the actor talk about the show and his relationship with the series' patriarch, actor Dick Van Patten who passed away June 23 at the age of 86, the show was professional and personal turning point.

Here the actor, now 54 and a prolific creator of Christian-themed content, recalls in his own words meeting Van Patten for the first time, the late actor's advice for his TV children and the day Van Patten said no to ganging up on ABC for more money.

You expect this kind of news but you never know how it’s going to affect you.

The first time I met Dick was when his son Vincent Van Patten and I were doing The Courtship of Eddie’s Father over at MGM. This was in 1969 or 1970. He was a very very nice man and they’d all moved out from NYC to start their careers.

On Eight Is Enough, the first scene I did with him was playing touch football in the park. I had replaced the actor who was in the pilot, and there were a lot of comments on set about how much different it was with me, that it was better with me there. I said at one point, “Hey give the kid a break, you don’t know what happened. It’s not fair, he did his best.” And Dick said, “Good for you, always say the positive thing.” That was Dick.

He was the most positive, kindest man. I never saw him get angry except when I had a stalker who claimed to know Dick’s son. The guy called the Eight Is Enough set once and claimed he was a friend of Vinnie's. I said, 'Hey Dick it’s that guy.' And he got on the phone and tore him to shreds. It was the only time in four years I saw him get angry. There was never an unkind word about anybody. He was the most sincere person I’d every worked with. The only other person I can think of like that is Henry Winkler.

I remember he’d tell us often before shooting a scene, he’d have that smile on the face – 'I want you all to look around and remember this time. These are the good old days. These are great days. So enjoy them'” He was the leader of our show.

We’d been in touch over the years off and on. We’d have dinner or breakfast together when I was in town. Last time I saw him was a few years ago when we did reunion special on the Today show in New York. I hadn’t seen in the last few years. This is exactly what I worried about; that I wouldn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

The thing that people most need to understand about him was that he had the most gratitude of anyone I knew. For the fans, for the networks for allowing us all to have a great life. He was grateful to be a working actor, and a very underrated one at that.

I’ve tried to emulate this in my own life, the way he lifted up his wife and his family. Every day, the first thing he’d say when someone asked, 'How are you Dick?' was 'I woke up next to Patti Van Patten today. What could be better?' He loved and adored his family. He always had some wonderful thing to say about his wife. He lived such a great example off-camera.

He was also very smart. At one point on Eight Is Enough, there was a movement on set to gang up on the network [ABC] and demand more money. Eight Is Enough was my seventh TV series at that point. We were all in San Francisco in a car, shooting on location. The idea was the cast would band together and they asked what I thought. I said, 'I think we will all get fired.' We were all working for Lorimar at that point. 'You’re all nuts.'

Dick started to laugh, 'Good for you Willie. I agree. We keep our mouths shut and enjoy the work while we’ve got it.' "

Tom Bradford was the last of the TV dad who was strong and not a clown like today.

Dick Van Patten portrayed Tom Bradford well. Loved his other shows I have seen in in. RIP!!

You said it well. I was fond of Dick as an actor and as a person. I adore EIE, it's in my top 10 favorite TV shows of all times. In fact I'm going to watch an ep this morning. Rest in peace, Dick!

Willie Aames tweet: Willie Aames ‏@WAames

R.I.P. My dear friend and surrogate father.... XOXOXOXOX the world will miss you...


Betty Buckley tweet: Betty Buckley ‏@BettyBuckley

Heartsick to hear #DickVanPatten has passed away. Wonderful human being,actor, comedian, Super Dad, beloved friend & role model.


I also found this quote from Betty Buckley from a different article:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about Dick Van Patten passing away. I am grateful that I got to see him and his lovely wife Pat when I was in Los Angeles in late January. He taught me so much when I worked with him on Eight Is Enough. He was our rock, our leader, our role model. His vast career in theater, film and television was awe inspiring. He was the consummate professional, a wonderful actor, master of comedy and a kind and generous human being. Every day on set he was a happy, jovial person, always generous and ready to play, tease and always keep us all laughing. His love for life and his beautiful family were an inspiration. I loved him very much. I send my love and deepest condolences to his wife Pat, sons, Nels, Jimmy and Vincent, his sister Joyce and brother Tim.”

Found this article from the New York Post:

http://nypost.com/2015/06/26/dick-van-pattens-tv-wife-remembers-the-beloved-actor/

:rip:

The Eight is Enough cast as Dick Van Patten's Memorial Service.

https://instagram.com/p/4fw4XvP79N/

The Eight is Enough cast as Dick Van Patten's Memorial Service.

https://instagram.com/p/4fw4XvP79N/

Correct me if I'm wrong but is that: Tommy, Nancy, Joanie, Elizabeth, Abby, Nicholas, David and Janet? Where's Susan?

That's correct. I assume Susan Richardson couldn't make it. I think she lives in Pennsylvania and has had it pretty rough.

Susan Richardson appeared in the Entertainment Tonight segment that aired right after Dick's passing.

http://www.etonline.com/news/166687_eight_is_enough_dad_dick_van_patten_dies_at_86/