Van Patten started acting at the age of 7 on Broadway. He stared as Tom Bradford the father of the family in"Eight is Enough" which aired from 1977 to 1981. He also had notable roles in "The Love Boat" and "Happy Days." More recently, Van Patten was a guest star on "That '70s Show" and "Arrested Development."

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Van Patten, and three children.