It's just come over the wires in the last hour or so that we've lost another TV icon.
Dick Van Patten, after years of character roles and guest star appearances, scored his only hit with Eight Is Enough, which aired on ABC from 1977-81. Prior to Eight, Dick had a supporting role in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood satire-sitcom, When Things Were Rotten, which aired on the exact same night as Eight (Wednesdays), but lasted just a season. Van Patten had also appeared in some of Brooks' movies, including "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", and other films, such as "Soylent Green", with Charlton Heston, and "Charly", with Cliff Robertson.
While he was still continuing to act, Van Patten took an interest in pet foods, and founded Natural Balance Pet Foods, creating healthy foods for dogs and other pets. In the 80's, he teamed with Sherman Hemsley (The Jeffersons) in this spot for Jiffy Lube:
Van Patten has passed away due to complications from type 2 diabetes at 86. Rest in peace, Dick. You will be missed.
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