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Vincent Van Patten
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Vincent Van Patten (born October 17, 1957) is an American actor, former professional tennis player, and the commentator for the World Poker Tour.
Key Information
Early and personal life
[edit]Van Patten was born in Bellerose, New York, as the youngest son of actor Dick Van Patten and his wife, Patricia Helon "Pat" Van Patten (née Poole), a former June Taylor dancer. He is of Dutch, English, and Italian descent.[citation needed]
He was first urged into show business at age nine by his father's agent. He appeared in more than thirty commercials, including Colgate toothpaste, before his father was cast in the TV series, Arnie, and moved his family from Long Island to Los Angeles.[citation needed]
From his first marriage to Betsy Russell he has two sons: Richard and Vince. His second marriage, on April 15, 2003, was to The Young and the Restless actress Eileen Davidson; they have one child together, a son named Jesse Thomas Van Patten.[1]
Vince is related to several other well-known actors, actresses, and singers through blood and by marriage. Vince is a brother of James and Nels Van Patten, a nephew of Joyce Van Patten and Timothy Van Patten, and a cousin of Talia Balsam.[1]
Acting
[edit]As a child actor during the 1970s, Van Patten guest-starred in over three dozen classic television series, including Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The High Chaparral, Nichols, Medical Center, Adam-12, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, ‘’Night Gallery’’, Wonder Woman, and a variety of television movies. He also had roles in the films Charley and the Angel (1973) and Chino (1973).[1] At age 16, he was cast in Apple's Way, a CBS drama series, in which he played the son of an architect who leaves the big city to rear his family in rural and fictional Appleton, Iowa.[1]
In the fall of 1975, at age 18, Van Patten appeared as John Karras in a 12-week CBS drama series Three for the Road.[2] In 1976, he co-starred in The Bionic Boy, a two-hour ABC attempted spinoff of the popular Lee Majors vehicle The Six Million Dollar Man, that never went to series. He made a guest appearance in the final episode of the NBC television anthology series $weepstake$ in 1979.
In 1978, Van Patten starred in the cult film classic Rock 'n' Roll High School. He starred in several other films in the 1970s and 1980s, including the 1979 action thriller Survival Run (aka Spree), Yesterday (1981) as a Vietnam war veteran, the slasher film Hell Night (1981), Gidget's Summer Reunion (1985), The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission (1987), and Camp Fear (1991). He wrote, produced, and starred in The Break (1995), distributed by Lions Gate with Martin Sheen.[1] Van Patten co-wrote and produced 7 Days to Vegas (2019), based on a true story, about a bet he made in 1995 that he could walk 280 miles (450 km) from Los Angeles, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, in seven days.[3]
Films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Dial Hot Line | Stevie | Television Movie |
| 1972 | The Bravos | Peter Harkness | Television Movie |
| 1973 | Charley and the Angel | Willie Appleby | |
| 1973 | Chino | Jamie Wagner | |
| 1978 | Rooster: Spurs of Death! | Wyatt | |
| 1979 | Rock 'n' Roll High School | Tom Roberts | |
| 1979 | Survival Run | Chip | |
| 1981 | Yesterday | Matt Kramer | |
| 1981 | Hell Night | Seth | |
| 1985 | Gidget's Summer Reunion | Mickey | Television Movie |
| 1987 | The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission | Ronnie Webber | Television Movie |
| 1990 | Payback | Terry Cartwright | |
| 1991 | Camp Fear | Professor Hamilton | Direct-to-video |
| 1995 | The Break | Nick Irons | |
| 2000 | Backyard Dogs | ZZ Nash | Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | When Billie Beat Bobby | Lornie Kuhle | Television Movie |
| 2003 | High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story | Jimmy D. | |
| 2016 | The Guest House | Abe | |
| 2019 | 7 Days to Vegas | Duke | also co-screenwriter and co-producer |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | The High Chaparral | Culley Broxton | Episode: "Spokes" |
| 1970–73 | Medical Center | Kenny Jimmy Benjy |
3 episodes |
| 1970 | Bracken's World | Pete O'Connell | Episode: "Nude Scene" |
| 1970 | The Interns | Young Samuel | Episode: "Dancy" |
| 1970 | Nanny and the Professor | Tommy | Episode: "The Humanization of Herbert T. Peabody" |
| 1970–72 | Bonanza | Tommy Brenner Tim Griffin |
Episode: "A Matter of Circumstance" Episode: "Stallion" |
| 1971 | Ironside | Sonny Brokaw | Episode: "The Target" |
| 1971 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father | Mark | Episode: "To Catch a Thief" |
| 1971 | The Bill Cosby Show | Jimmy | Episode: "The Saturday Game" |
| 1971 | Cannon | Shaun Donaldson | Episode: "The Salinas Jackpot" |
| 1971 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Philip Grand | Episode: "This Is Max" |
| 1971 | Adam-12 | Virgil Stephens | Episode: "Truant" |
| 1971 | Night Gallery | Chris | Segment: "Big Surprise" |
| 1972 | Nichols | Grover | Episode: "About Jesse James" |
| 1972 | The Partners | Roger Higgenbottom | Episode: "Headlines for Higgenbottom" |
| 1972 | ABC Afterschool Special | Mark | voice, Episode: "The Last of the Curlews" |
| 1972 | The New Scooby-Doo Movies | Additional roles | voice, 16 episodes |
| 1972–73 | The Magical World of Disney | Todd Thompson Davey |
4 episodes |
| 1972–73 | Gunsmoke | Colby Eaton Heck Walden |
Episode: "Bohannan" Episode: "The Boy and the Sinner" |
| 1973 | Barnaby Jones | Kevin Mills | Episode: "Day of the Viper" |
| 1973 | Jeannie | Billy | voice, Episode: "The Kid Brother" |
| 1973 | Love, American Style | Bobby | Segment: "Love and Carmen Lopez" |
| 1973 | Dirty Sally | George | Episode: "The Orphans" |
| 1974–75 | Apple's Way | Paul Apple | Main role; 28 episodes |
| 1975 | Three for the Road | John Karras | Main role; 13 episodes |
| 1976 | Phyllis | Rob | Episode: "Crazy Mama" |
| 1976 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Andy Sheffield | Episode: "The Bionic Boy" |
| 1977 | James at 16 | Rip Lindeman | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1977 | Wonder Woman | Johnny | 2 episodes |
| 1977 | Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels | Additional roles | Episode: "The Mystery Mansion Mix-Up" |
| 1978–79 | Insight | Morgan Rick Adams |
Episode: "The Sex Game" Episode: "It Can't Happen to Me" |
| 1978 | What Really Happened to the Class of '65? | Phil | Episode: "The Most Likely to Succeed" |
| 1978 | Flying High | Unknown role | Episode: "Palm Springs Weekend" |
| 1979 | How the West Was Won | Bob Cooper | Episode: "The Rustler" |
| 1981 | The Love Boat | Frank | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Matlock | Dave Travis | Episode: "The Pro" |
| 1992 | Baby Talk | Elliot | Episode: "Requiem for a Lightweight" |
| 1992–97 | Baywatch | Vincent Dr. Tom Morella |
6 episodes |
| 2000 | The Young and the Restless | Christian Page | 12 episodes |
| 2006 | Cuts | Himself as Vincent Van Patten | Episode: "Rogue Trip" |
| 2022 | Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem | Phil Hellworth | 2 episodes |
Tennis
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (May 2022) |
Van Patten was a professional tour tennis player who in 1979 was awarded the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Rookie of the Year award. The highlight of his career came in 1981 when he defeated John McEnroe and two other top ten world ranked pros to win the Seiko World Super Tennis tournament in Tokyo. His career high ranking in singles was World No. 26, reached on February 11, 1982.
In singles, Van Patten reached the third round of the US Open twice, in 1982 and 1983, and Wimbledon once, in 1985. In doubles his best Grand Slam event result was reaching the quarter-finals of the French Open in 1981, partnering with Mel Purcell. His highest doubles ranking was World No. 24, reached in September 1986.
Tennis Grand Prix Championship Series finals
[edit]Singles (1 title)
[edit]| Result | W/L | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | 1981 | Tokyo, Japan | Carpet | 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 |
Poker
[edit]Van Patten learned to play poker at the age of 14 from his father, actor Dick Van Patten.
In the 1990s, Vincent Van Patten put together his own Hollywood home game with famous regulars like Ben Affleck and Tobey Maguire.[4]
He finished in the money at the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing 481st in a pool of 7,319 entrants and received winnings totaling $27,519. (This amount was awarded to finishers in 460th through 531st place.)[5]
Since 2003, he has been a commentator on World Poker Tour.[6] The first four seasons were broadcast on Travel Channel; seasons five and six on Game Show Network, and, from the seventh through to the current season, it has aired on Fox Sports Networks.[7]
With Robert J Randisi, he wrote The Picasso Flop, a novel about Las Vegas poker.[8]
As of September 2020, Van Patten has $104,383 in live tournament earnings from seven events.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Vincent Van Patten at IMDb
- ^ "Three for the Road". IMDb. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
- ^ Fessier, Bruce (January 10, 2019). "Vince Van Patten accepted a bet to walk from L.A. to Vegas. Then he made a movie about it". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Vincent Van Patten's Life: Biggest Profits, Losses and Net Worth". Somuchpoker. July 31, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ "Event #57: No-Limit Hold'em Championship". World Series of Poker. November 9, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ Sofen, Jon (February 26, 2022). "Vince Van Patten Still Passionate About Poker as World Poker Tour Turns 20". PokerNews.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Profile, pokerlistings.com; accessed March 2, 2016.
- ^ Van Patten, Vince; Randisi, Robert J. (February 21, 2007). The Picasso Flop. Grand Central. ISBN 978-0759517073. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ "Vince van Patten's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
Bibliography
[edit]- Holmstrom, John (January 1, 1999). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995 (second ed.). Norwich: Michael Russell. p. 319. ISBN 978-0859551786.
External links
[edit]Vincent Van Patten
View on GrokipediaEarly life and family background
Upbringing and entry into entertainment
Vincent Van Patten was born on October 17, 1957, in Bellerose, New York.[8] As the youngest son of actor Dick Van Patten, he grew up in a household immersed in the entertainment industry, which profoundly shaped his early environment and career trajectory.[9] At the age of nine, Van Patten was urged into show business by his father's agent, marking his initial entry into the field through over 30 television commercials, including a notable spot for Colgate toothpaste.[10] These appearances, beginning in 1966, provided his first on-screen exposure in the late 1960s and capitalized on the family profession's connections within Hollywood.[2] Building on this foundation, Van Patten transitioned from commercial work to scripted television and film roles in the early 1970s, establishing himself as a prominent child actor during that decade.[11]Immediate family and relatives
Vincent Van Patten was born as the youngest son of actor Dick Van Patten and his wife, Patricia Helon Poole Van Patten, a former professional dancer with the June Taylor Dancers who later became a homemaker.[12][13] Dick Van Patten, known for his roles in television series such as Eight Is Enough, provided a direct link to the entertainment industry, immersing Vincent in Hollywood from an early age through family connections and on-set visits.[14] He has two older brothers: Nels Van Patten, a former professional tennis player and actor, and James "Jimmy" Van Patten, also an actor who appeared in films and television alongside family members.[14][15] The brothers grew up in a household centered around show business, with their father's career influencing their own paths into acting and sports entertainment. On the extended side, Vincent is the nephew of actress Joyce Van Patten, his father's sister, who had a prolific career in film, television, and theater spanning decades.[13] He is also related to director and producer Tim Van Patten, his father's half-brother, whose work includes Emmy-winning episodes of series like The Sopranos and The Wire; Tim's daughter, actress Grace Van Patten, is thus Vincent's first cousin, known for roles in films such as The Post and television's Maniac.[13][16] This network of relatives in entertainment fostered Vincent's early exposure to the industry, shaping his initial steps as a child actor.Acting career
Child and adolescent roles
Vincent Van Patten began his acting career as a child in the early 1970s, securing guest spots on popular Western television series. His debut came at age 12 in the Bonanza episode "A Matter of Circumstance" (1970), where he portrayed Tim, a boy caught in a family dispute on the Ponderosa ranch.[17] He followed this with another Western guest role as Heck Walden, the son of a fugitive, in the Gunsmoke episode "Bohannan" (1972). By his mid-teens, Van Patten transitioned to more prominent recurring roles in family-oriented dramas. From 1974 to 1975, he played Paul Apple, the eldest son navigating rural life and personal challenges, in 28 episodes of the CBS series Apple's Way.[18] Van Patten's early film work complemented his television presence, showcasing his versatility in both comedic and adventurous genres. In 1973, he debuted on the big screen as Willie Appleby, one of the mischievous sons in the Disney family comedy Charley and the Angel, opposite Fred MacMurray.[19] As he entered adolescence, he took on supporting roles in youth-centric films, including the punk rock satire Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979), where he played the quarterback Tom Roberts amid a high school rebellion featuring The Ramones, and the horror thriller Hell Night (1981), portraying fraternity pledge Seth during a night of terror.[20][21] In 1975, he starred as John Karras in the short-lived CBS series Three for the Road alongside Alex Rocco and Erin Moran. Overall, Van Patten amassed approximately 20 television episode credits and 5 film roles during his child and adolescent years, establishing him as a prolific young performer often cast in relatable teen characters influenced by his family's entertainment connections.[8]Adult roles and productions
Following his professional tennis career, which spanned the late 1970s and 1980s, Vincent Van Patten resumed acting in the 1990s, transitioning to more mature roles in film and television that drew on his athletic background.[22] He appeared as an uncredited acting troupe member in My Girl 2 (1994). One of his notable returns to the screen was in the 1995 sports drama The Break, where he portrayed Nick Irons, a former tennis pro coaching a promising young player; Van Patten also contributed as screenwriter and producer on the project, which featured co-stars Rae Dawn Chong and Martin Sheen.[23] He followed this with guest appearances on the hit series Baywatch from 1996 to 1997, playing the recurring character Dr. Tom Morella across at least three episodes, including "Bash at the Beach" and "Freefall."[24] These roles marked a shift from his earlier youth-oriented work, emphasizing dramatic and ensemble performances. Van Patten continued with supporting parts in films such as When Billie Beat Bobby (2001), where he depicted tennis promoter Lornie Kuhle in a dramatization of the 1973 Battle of the Sexes match. In 2003, he appeared as Jimmy D. in the poker biopic High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, reflecting his growing interest in gambling-themed narratives.[25] His soap opera involvement peaked in 2000 with a 12-episode arc on The Young and the Restless as Christian Page, a romantic lead opposite his future wife Eileen Davidson's character.[26] In the 2010s, Van Patten's output leaned toward independent films and behind-the-scenes contributions, including a role as Abe in the thriller The Guest House (2016). He took a multifaceted approach to 7 Days to Vegas (2019), co-writing the script with Steve Alper, co-producing, and starring as Duke, the protagonist in this comedy about a eccentric walk from Los Angeles to Las Vegas sparked by a prop bet among high-stakes gamblers. This project highlighted his evolution into creative control, blending acting with production to explore themes of risk and camaraderie. His most recent acting credit came in 2022 with a two-episode guest spot on Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem as Phil Hellworth, reuniting him onscreen with Davidson. Overall, Van Patten's adult acting resume encompasses around 15 projects since 1990, with a particular emphasis on writing and producing roles emerging in the 2010s, often in stories tied to sports, gambling, and personal redemption.[27]Professional tennis career
ATP tour highlights
Vincent Van Patten turned professional in 1978 and quickly made an impact on the ATP Tour. In 1979, he was named the ATP Newcomer of the Year, edging out Ivan Lendl for the honor after a strong debut season that included semifinal appearances in several tournaments.[5][28] Van Patten reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 26 on November 2, 1981, following a breakthrough performance that year. His overall ATP singles win-loss record stood at 109–117, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent career on the tour from 1978 to 1987. He accumulated $433,522 in career prize money from singles and doubles combined.[29] Key milestones included his victory at the 1981 Seiko World Super Tennis tournament in Tokyo, where he defeated top-seeded John McEnroe 6–3, 7–5 in the semifinals en route to the title, along with earlier wins over José Luis Clerc and Vitas Gerulaitis. Van Patten also notched upsets against other high-ranked players, such as McEnroe again in a 1982 invitational event. He participated in multiple Grand Slams, reaching the third round at the US Open in 1982 and 1983, and at Wimbledon in 1985, while competing at the US Open across several years including 1979, 1981, and 1984.[30][31][32]Tournament finals and titles
Van Patten achieved one ATP singles title during his professional career, highlighted by his victory at the 1981 Tokyo Indoor tournament, a Grand Prix event played on carpet. In the final, he defeated Australia's Mark Edmondson 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, after earlier upsets including a semifinal win over world No. 1 John McEnroe.[5][33][34] He reached the singles final on two other occasions. At the 1980 Sao Paulo Open on carpet, Van Patten lost to Poland's Wojtek Fibak 0–6, 6–7 in the final. In 1983, he was runner-up at the Wailea Pro Tennis in Maui on hard courts, falling to Scott Davis 3–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–7(4–7).[5][35][36][37] In doubles, Van Patten won one ATP title at the 1986 Lipton International Players Championships on hard courts with partner Brad Gilbert, defeating Stefan Edberg and Anders Järryd by walkover in the final.[5]| Year | Tournament | Surface | Result | Opponent(s) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | |||||
| 1980 | Sao Paulo Open | Carpet | Runner-up | Wojtek Fibak | 0–6, 6–7 |
| 1981 | Tokyo Indoor | Carpet | Winner | Mark Edmondson | 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 1983 | Wailea Pro Tennis | Hard | Runner-up | Scott Davis | 3–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–7(4–7) |
| Doubles | |||||
| 1986 | Lipton International | Hard | Winner | Brad Gilbert (partner) vs. Stefan Edberg / Anders Järryd | Walkover |
