Longtime television star Dick Van Patten, known for his work on Eight Is Enough and The Love Boat, has passed away.
Dick Van Patten, a beloved comedic actor known for his work on shows like Eight Is Enough and The Love Boat, died early Tuesday morning. He was 86.
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The New York native, who was a father-in-law to Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott, The Young and the Restless; ex-Kristen DiMera, Days of our Lives) via the actress' marriage to his son, Vincent Van Patten, experienced complications related to diabetes and passed away in a hospital in Santa Monica, his rep, Jeff Ballard, confirms.
"I am sorry to report this sad news," Ballard said. "He was the kindest man you could ever meet in life. A loving family man. They don't make them like him anymore."
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Van Patten rose to fame as dad Tom Bradford on the 1977-1981 sitcom Eight Is Enough. He's also starred in a variety of films and other televisions shows, including his most recent job as a guest star on Hot In Cleveland.
Soon after the news of Van Patten's death broke and fans began reaching out to Davidson, the actress addressed the outpouring of love and messages. "Thank you all for the condolences about Dick Von Patten," she share on Twitter. "What a wonderful loving hilarious humble talented man. I will love him forever."
"Thank you all for all the kind words about my father. For our family he was our fearless leader who seemed to know the secret to life: to be humble, to appreciate, to laugh, to give, and do things in life that he loved. He was great to his family and friends, he was blessed with a long and happy life, and we really are going to miss him. Thanks again everybody and I hope all your families are well," Vincent Van Patten wrote on Twitter.
He is survived by his wife, actress Pat Van Patten, and the couple's three sons: Nels, Jimmy, and Davidson's husband, Vincent.
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