Palm Springs star, animal lover, Dick Van Patten dies at 86

Dick Van Patten, the genial comic actor best known as the patriarch of TV’s “Eight is Enough,” has died, according to his publicist Daniel Bernstein. He was 86.

Reports from Entertainment Weekly and People magazine indicated Van Patten died Tuesday morning in a Santa Monica, California, hospital of complications from diabetes.

Van Patten was honored with the 301st star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in January of 2008.

Born in New York, the veteran entertainer began his career as a child actor, performing on the stage and on TV during its infancy. He had his first modeling assignment at the age of three.

Van Patten has starred in 30 feature films including ‘High Anxiety, Robin Hood Men in Tights, Spaceballs, The Santa Trap, Westworld, Soylent Green and Mr. Roberts. But he’s still perhaps best known as Tom Bradford, a middle-aged widower and father of eight children who met and married Abby, played by Betty Buckley. The ABC comedy-drama aired from 1977-1981.

His many TV appearances included “Love, American Style,” ”The Love Boat” and, most recently, “Hot in Cleveland.”

But aside from his Hollywood career, Van Patten has been involved in helping many animal charities and rescue organizations across the country. He teamed up with PETCO to raise money to help fund Guide Dogs of the Desert; a facility that places guide dogs with the visually impaired.

The annual Dick Van Patten Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament is held in the Coachella Valley. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and their three sons.

“We are very sad at the passing of such a wonderful man like Dick Van Patten and our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends.” said Bob Alexander, President of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.