Dick Van Patten was born Richard Vincent Van Patten on 9 December 1928 in Queens, New York City USA. He was businessman, actor and animal welfare activist, best known for his appearance In ‘Eight is Enough,’ an ABC TV comedy-drama, in which he took the role of patriarch Tom Bradford. He died on 23 June 2015 due to diabetes complications.
So, how rich was Dick Van Patten, as of his death? The net worth of Van Patten was estimated to be more than $5 million, as of mid-2015. He acquired most of his wealth from his acting career, being featured in more than 40 films and over 100 TV shows.
Dick Van Patten Net Worth $5 Million
Raised in Kew Gardens, New York City, Dick Van Patten was a son to Josephine Rose and Richard Van Patten, and was of Italian (mother), and Dutch and English (father) ancestry. He started working as an actor and a model while just a child, making his debut in Broadway at only seven years. He succeeded in a number of theatrical plays before finally moving to Hollywood, where he started his career as a professional actor and TV personality. The rise of his net worth had already started.
As an actor, Dick Van Patten started his career in 1935, starring with Melvyn Douglas in ‘Tapestry.’ He moved to television after being given a role in ‘Mama,’ a CBS series in which he took the role of Nels Hansen. Thereafter, he appeared in episodes of ‘Happy Days,’ ‘Emergency!’ ‘Adam-12,’ ‘The Streets of San Francisco,’ ‘The Brain Keith Show,’ ‘Arrested Development,’ ‘Banek,’ and ‘Sanford and Son.’ Some of his film credits include ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights,’ Spaceball,’ and ‘High Anxiety.’ Many of his appearances were in productions which proved popular, and so his net worth increased steadily if unspectacularly.
Dick Van Patten was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 20 November 1985. On 12 January 2008, he was among the people given a star on the famous Palm Springs Walk of Stars, and then in November 2009 he released a co-authored a book, ‘Eight Is Not Enough,’ in which he shares insights into his 80-year journey in the entertainment industry.
Due to his animal enthusiasm, Dick Van Patten co-funded a company called Natural Balance Pet Foods, which focused on dog foods. The company is one of the most renowned dog food brands in the US, and had been a major contributor to the star’s net worth.
In his personal life, Dick Van Patten married Patricia Poole in 1954. The couple had three sons, all who are actors: Nels Van Pattern, James Van Patten and Vincent Van Patten. On 23 June 2015, Dick Van Patten died of diabetes complications at Saint John’s Health Center. Until his death, he lived with his wife in Sherman Oaks, California.
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