Actor, Racing Fan Dick Van Patten Dies at 86

Actor Dick Van Patten, a longtime racing fan, owner, and horseplayer, died June 23 at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., from complications of diabetes. He was 86.

 

Van Patten starred in movies, such as "Freaky Friday," "Spaceballs," "High Anxiety," and "Robin Hood, Men in Tights," and on the Broadway stage as a child. He was perhaps best known for his television role as the father of eight children in ABC's hit 1980s TV show "Eight Is Enough." The actor guest starred in a number sitcoms over the years, most recently appearing in an episode of "Hot in Cleveland."

 

Van Patten was a regular fixture at Southern California racetracks, especially on the weekends, along with Hollywood pals Mel Brooks and the late Mickey Rooney. He was on hand for the final day of racing at iconic Hollywood Park on Dec. 22, 2013, visiting the winner's circle as the co-owner with late California owner Allan Fainbary of Tanquerray, victor in the day's third race for trainer Herbert Bacorn.

 

Van Patten campaigned a small stable, and in addition to Bacorn had horses with trainer Bill Spawr.

 

In a 2008 review with California Thoroughbred, Van Patten related the following racetrack story, involving his buddy Mel Brooks and jockey Patrick Valenzuela:

 

"Every Saturday and Sunday Mel comes to the track with me," said Van Patten, who introduced Brooks, also a movie director, to racing. "Mel came out, and Patrick Valenzuela was riding my horse. So before the race I introduced him to Patrick, and Mel said to him, 'If you win this race, I'll put you in my next movie!' So, Patrick wins the race, and he comes back to the winner's circle, sees Mel, and he shouts, 'I'm in the movie!' And Mel put him in the movie; it was "Robin Hood: Men in Tights."

 

Valenzuela played "Lead Camel Jockey" in the 1993 production.

 

A native of New York, Van Patten credited his love of racing to his father, who took him to Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and the old Jamaica Racetrack, igniting lifelong passion for the sport. He bought his first Thoroughbreds in 1946 when just 18 years old.

 

In 2010, celebrity news website TMZ reported that Van Patten was so determined to get to Santa Anita Park, the actor left the scene of car accident he was involved in when he couldn't immediately locate the driver of the other vehicle.

 

Van Patten's publicist Jeffrey Ballard told the publication: "The only time Dick Van Patten runs is down the stretch at the racetrack when his horses are winning."

 

Van Patten is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Van Patten, as well as his three sons, Nels, Jimmy, and Vincent.