Few actors have had as versatile and as rich a background as Dick Van Patten. With a remarkable career which includes more than 600 radio shows, 27 Broadway plays, 24 feature films and 7 television series, Van Patten is still perhaps best known for his popular starring role as Tom Bradford in the long-running hit series, "Eight Is Enough." In recent years, audience interest prompted him to reprise that role in the top-rated television specials, "Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion" and "An Eight is Enough Wedding," both for NBC.

A one-time child actor billed as Dickie Van Patten, he has appeared in a continuous stream of Broadway shows starting at the age of seven. They include three Pulitzer Prize winners, "On Borrowed Time," "The Skin of Our Teeth" (starring Taullah Bankhead and Frederick March), and he played Ensign Pulver opposite Henry Fonda's "Mister Roberts."

Van Paten has worked with many of the great directors in American theater including Max Reinhardt, Josh Logan, Moss Hart, Guthrie McClintock, George Kaufman, George Abbott, Alfred Lunt, Eliah Kazan, Martin Ritt and Elaine May.

Van Patten is most proud of his association with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne with whom he worked with for four years in Terrace Rattigan's smash hit "Oh Mistress Mine."

In 1949, at the beginning of television, Van Patten made the transition from stage to television in the award-winning "I Remember Mama" series, portraying Peggy Wood's son Nels, for eight years. Since then, he has made numerous guest starring appearances on almost every major television series, and has starred in such series as "The Partners," "Arnie," "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "When Things Were Rotten."

Although Van Patten's resume was as commendable as it was lengthy, the versatile actor never made a motion picture until 1970. He has since appeared in over 20 features, including Mel Brooks' "High Anxiety," "Spaceballs" and "Robin Hood Men in Tights" as well as having starred in seven movies for Walt Disney Studios in just over three years.

Van Patten has also been honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

When he isn't working, Van Patten can usually be found on his tennis court or at the beach swimming. He is also a horse-racing enthusiast. Dick and his wife Pat, a former June Taylor Dancer, have known each other since childhood, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They reside in the San Fernando Valley near their three sons, Nels, James and Vincent.