Dick Van Patten relaxes here with one of his favorite "purr" SONS |
We hear so many horrible Hollywood stories about child stars forced into the spotlight by overzealous parents, and how the child's life went downhill. Hollywood legend Dick Van Patten assures that those tragedies are isolated incidents, and he should know: he, too, was a child star. Dick started modeling at the age 3 and made his debut on Broadway at 7. He grew up in the theater doing 27 Broadway shows with actors such as Melvyn Douglas, Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne, and others. He attended a school for child performers in New York. It was there that he met his future wife, Pat, who sat next to him in the seventh and eighth grades. She did an act with her brother, and they were known as "The World's Youngest Ballroom Dance Team." She later became a June Taylor Dancer. Performing was definitely in the Van Patten genes. Dick's sister, Joyce Van Patten, also started acting at an early age and has continued in the profession. Two of Dick's three sons, Jimmy and Vincent, both were child actors and still work in the entertainment industry. Dick was one of the lucky child performers who was able to make the transition to adult stardom. In the late 1970s he starred as Tom Bradford, the father on the family TV classic "Eight is Enough." In it he co-starred with another legend, Broadway great Betty Buckley.
Between pets and grandchildren Dick finds himself
in a happy-and noisy-household. |
"Eight is Enough" made Dick America's favorite father, but it was in film that he put his immense sense of humor and unparalleled comedic talent to best use. Dick has appeared in three of Mel Brooks' most memorable films, including "SpaceBalls," "High Anxiety," and most recently "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." He also made seven films for Walt Disney Studios. An avid horse racing enthusiast, Dick goes to the track whenever he gets a chance. He still works frequently, and spends time promoting his pet food line called Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. Dick and Pat live in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, near their three sons, Nels, Jimmy, and Vincent.
Pet Tribune: How many pets do you have?
Dick Van Patten: I have two cats, Hansel and Helen. My son lives next door and we have adjoining backyards, so his two dogs, Molly and Tyler, are always over and they're kind of mine, too.
PT: Growing up, did you have many animals around?
DVP: Yes. When I was a kid I wanted to own a pet shop. I lived in a colonial house in New York, and on the third floor we had a room full of animals. Every weekend, if I had behaved, my father would take me to a different pet shop. One week it would be in Queens, the other week in Brooklyn. I would get a different pet every Saturday: a horned toad, an alligator, a rabbit, and a turtle. We had everything.
Dick enjoys some down time with
some shaggy friends. |
PT: Do you have a favorite type of animal?
DVP: My favorites are cats. Cats intrigue me. Cats are bit more discriminating than dogs and really intelligent. I always think about how amazing and clever they are when I see them catch birds. Can you imagine how quick and tricky they have to be in order to catch one? They truly are amazing animals. I can't stand rats, however. Snakes and reptiles don't bother me, but I cannot stand rats. Just hearing them gets to me. I remember when I was a kid my mother took me to Grand Central Station where they were having an exposition, and Dr. Ditmars, who was supposed to be the world's leading authority on snakes and reptiles was there. We got to talk and he gave me a big burlap bag, and inside was a huge black snake. Well, when I rushed home I went straight to my father's room yelling, "Look what Dr. Ditmars gave me!" and when he opened the bag and saw that snake he started screaming. He thought he was having a nightmare. I guess waking up to a huge snake is not the most pleasant experience. I still love pets, I guess I never really outgrew it.
PT: Are your kids big pet lovers?
DVP: Oh you bet, all my sons are. They married girls that are real animal lovers, too. They pick up strays all the time. In fact my daughter-in-law was driving on the highway a few years back and she saw this dog running in traffic. Well, she picked it up and took it home. She put up signs everywhere, but hoped nobody would respond because she really wanted to keep it. A year and a half later Sandra Bullock, who is a friend of my sons, goes over to their house and sees the dog and says "Oh, my god, that's my dog!" It really did turn out to be Sandra's dog, but she let them keep it and now it lives next door.
PT: What have you learned from your pets?
DVP: Loyalty. They are so great. Once you have gained their affection they're the best.
PT: Have you worked with animals before?
DVP: Sure. There used to be an annual event on CBS called the "Circus of the Stars," where celebrities would do the circus acts. Well, they called me to work with bears. I was a little nervous about it. I would go to Universal [Studios] every day for 30 days to work with them an hour every day because their attention span is very short. There were five bears with claws and no muzzles. I would keep marshmallows in my pocket, and when they did the trick right I would give them a marshmallow. Thankfully, the show went great.
PT: Your show "Eight is Enough" made you America's favorite father. How does that make you feel?
DVP: It is great. I get people approaching me all the time and saying they wish they had a dad like me. The only thing people would complain about the show was that the house was too neat for a family that size. They are rebroadcasting it now through PAX Television around the country.
PT: What message would you like to convey to fellow pet owners?
DVP: Well, everybody is saying it, but it is so important to remind people: you have to get these animals neutered and spayed. It is so mean when you think that there are 40 million homeless cats running around fighting for food and shelter. You've got to have these animals altered; it is cruel if you don't. Another thing I've got to tell people is that when they're ready to get a pet, go to the shelters and adopt one. You can get great pets, any kind you want, and you can save their lives.
PT: If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?
DVP: I would be a bird. Not that I like birds more than other animals, but I think they live a great life. They have the freedom to fly and go wherever they want.
PT: When did your interest in horse racing begin?
DVP: When I was 13 or so my father took me to a race, and I loved it and I have been interested ever since. I go to the track often. I have a few racehorses, mostly thoroughbreds. I don't ride much anymore.
PT: Why did you decide to manufacture your own pet food line?
DVP: I used to play tennis with a veterinarian friend of mine. It was around the same time Paul Newman started his "Newman's Own" products. I thought it would be great if a top-of-the-line food could be made for animals. She said it would be possible. The food would have to have no corn or soy in it, and should be hickory-smoked. It should also be in large kibble so that the dogs and cats have to chew them and digest it better. We had something formulated and we started Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. The first year we lost money, the second year we lost but not as much, by the third year we broke even and for the last couple of years we have been turning a decent profit with it. That's not important to me. What is important is that it is one of the best foods out there.
-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Mandrell and others. He writes frequently on animal-related issues as well as on the entertainment industry.
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