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Vincent Van Patten
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Singles (1 title)

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Result W/L Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 1981 Tokyo, Japan Carpet Australia Mark Edmondson 6–2, 3–6, 6–3

Poker

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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

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Bibliography

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Vincent Van Patten (born October 17, 1957) is an American , former professional player, television commentator, producer, director, and author. The youngest son of and his wife Pat Poole, a former dancer, he was born in , and began his entertainment career at age nine, appearing in a Colgate commercial before guest-starring in over 30 classic television shows such as , , and . As a teenager, Van Patten gained prominence as a teen idol with lead roles in the series Apple's Way (1974–1975) and Three for the Road (1975), alongside appearances in films like Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) and guest spots on shows including The Six Million Dollar Man and The New Adventures of Wonder Woman. Transitioning to professional in the late 1970s, he achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 26 and won two ATP singles titles (1978 Green Bay and 1981 Indoor), along with one doubles title (1986 Lipton International with partner ); he was named the 1979 ATP Newcomer of the Year, edging out for the honor, and notably defeated twice, including a semi-final win at the 1981 Indoor. Retiring from in 1986, Van Patten returned to and expanded into producing, directing, and writing, co-producing and starring in The Break (1995), writing and directing the award-winning indie film The Flunky (2000, Best Director at Port Hueneme Film Festival), and co-authoring the poker novel The Picasso Flop (2007) with Robert J. Randisi. Since 2003, he has served as the host and play-by-play commentator for the , a role he has held for over 20 years, drawing on his lifelong interest in poker that began at age 13; he is also a successful high-stakes player who has competed in the three times. Van Patten has been married to Emmy-winning actress since 2003, with whom he has one son; he was previously married to actress and has two sons from that marriage, for a total of three children.

Early life and family background

Upbringing and entry into entertainment

Vincent Van Patten was born on October 17, 1957, in . As the youngest son of actor , he grew up in a household immersed in the entertainment industry, which profoundly shaped his early environment and career trajectory. 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. 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. 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.

Immediate family and relatives

Vincent Van Patten was born as the youngest son of actor and his wife, Patricia Helon Poole Van Patten, a former professional dancer with the Dancers who later became a homemaker. , known for his roles in television series such as , provided a direct link to the entertainment industry, immersing Vincent in Hollywood from an early age through family connections and on-set visits. He has two older brothers: Nels Van Patten, a former professional player and , and James "Jimmy" Van Patten, also an who appeared in films and television alongside family members. The brothers grew up in a household centered around , with their father's career influencing their own paths into and . On the extended side, Vincent is the nephew of actress , his father's sister, who had a prolific career in film, television, and theater spanning decades. He is also related to director and producer , his father's half-brother, whose work includes Emmy-winning episodes of series like and ; Tim's daughter, actress , is thus Vincent's first cousin, known for roles in films such as The Post and television's Maniac. This network of relatives in entertainment fostered Vincent's early exposure to the industry, shaping his initial steps as a .

Acting career

Child and adolescent roles

Vincent Van Patten began his acting career as a child in the early , securing guest spots on popular Western television series. His debut came at age 12 in the episode "A Matter of Circumstance" (1970), where he portrayed Tim, a boy caught in a family dispute on the . He followed this with another Western guest role as Heck Walden, the son of a fugitive, in the 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. 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. 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. 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.

Adult roles and productions

Following his professional tennis career, which spanned the late 1970s and 1980s, Vincent Van Patten resumed in the , transitioning to more mature roles in film and television that drew on his athletic background. He appeared as an uncredited acting troupe member in (1994). One of his notable returns to the screen was in the 1995 sports drama The Break, where he portrayed Nick Irons, a former pro coaching a promising young player; Van Patten also contributed as and on the project, which featured co-stars and . He followed this with guest appearances on the hit series from 1996 to 1997, playing the recurring character Dr. Tom Morella across at least three episodes, including "" and "Freefall." 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. 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. In the , Van Patten's output leaned toward independent films and behind-the-scenes contributions, including a role as Abe in the thriller (2016). He took a multifaceted approach to (2019), co-writing the script with Steve Alper, co-producing, and starring as Duke, the protagonist in this comedy about a eccentric walk from to 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 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 , often in stories tied to , , and personal redemption.

Professional tennis career

ATP tour highlights

Vincent Van Patten turned professional in 1978 and quickly made an impact on the . In 1979, he was named the ATP Newcomer of the Year, edging out for the honor after a strong debut season that included semifinal appearances in several tournaments. Van Patten reached a career-high singles 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 from singles and doubles combined. Key milestones included his victory at the 1981 Seiko World Super Tennis tournament in , where he defeated top-seeded 6–3, 7–5 in the semifinals en route to the title, along with earlier wins over and . 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.

Tournament finals and titles

Van Patten achieved one ATP singles title during his professional career, highlighted by his victory at the 1981 Indoor tournament, a Grand Prix event played on carpet. In the final, he defeated Australia's 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, after earlier upsets including a semifinal win over world No. 1 . 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). In doubles, Van Patten won one ATP title at the 1986 Lipton International Players Championships on hard courts with partner , defeating and Anders Järryd by in the final.
YearTournamentSurfaceResultOpponent(s)Score
Singles
1980Sao Paulo OpenCarpetRunner-upWojtek Fibak0–6, 6–7
1981Tokyo IndoorCarpetWinner6–2, 3–6, 6–3
1983Wailea Pro TennisHardRunner-upScott Davis3–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–7(4–7)
Doubles
1986Lipton InternationalHardWinner (partner) vs. Stefan Edberg / Anders JärrydWalkover

Poker career and commentary

World Poker Tour involvement

Vincent Van Patten joined the (WPT) as the play-by-play commentator in 2003, marking the beginning of his long-standing partnership with for the tour's inaugural season. Their on-air chemistry, combining Van Patten's energetic delivery with Sexton's deep poker knowledge, quickly became a hallmark of WPT broadcasts, making complex strategies accessible to novice viewers. This duo helped transform poker from a niche into a mainstream during the post-2003 . Van Patten's signature style included enthusiastic catchphrases that energized the commentary, such as , which captured the excitement of high-stakes hands and resonated with audiences. Over the years, he contributed to the production of hundreds of episodes, emphasizing dramatic moments and player narratives to enhance viewer engagement. His role extended beyond mere narration, as he often drew on his background in sports broadcasting from to infuse poker coverage with a sense of competitive thrill. Van Patten continued his involvement with the WPT through 2025, partnering with following Sexton's departure in 2017, and providing commentary for flagship events like the WPT World Championship. Under his tenure, the WPT's television presence expanded significantly, reaching millions of viewers worldwide and solidifying poker's place in entertainment programming. By 2023, he had marked 21 years with the tour, a milestone that underscored his enduring impact on its growth from a fledgling series to a global phenomenon.

Personal poker achievements

Vincent Van Patten has participated in various poker tournaments as a recreational player, accumulating total live earnings of $145,583 across ten recorded cashes as of 2025. His involvement in competitive play has been limited compared to his broadcasting role, often balancing tournament appearances with commentary duties on the . Recent cashes include 241st place ($19,600) in the 2024 WPT World Championship at and 427th place ($1,000) in the associated ClubWPT Gold $5M Invitational Freeroll. Van Patten's career-best live cash came in July 2015, when he finished 14th in the $3,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event at the Choctaw, earning $40,532 from a field of 1,086 entries. Earlier that year, he placed 19th in the $3,500 No-Limit Hold'em event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, securing $27,460. His highest-profile finish occurred at the of Poker Main Event, where he placed 481st out of 7,319 entrants for $27,519, marking one of his deeper runs in a major championship. In addition to these highlights, Van Patten has cashed in several side events and regional tournaments throughout the and , including a 13th-place finish in a 2006 WPT event for $15,000 and various smaller scores in and circuits. These results underscore his status as a part-time competitor who enjoys the game recreationally while prioritizing his professional commitments in poker media.

Later activities and ventures

Return to media and acting

In the early 2020s, Vincent Van Patten made a return to with a guest role as Phil Hellworth in the Peacock limited series : Beyond Salem, appearing in episodes during its second chapter in 2022. This marked his first significant on-screen appearance in several years, reuniting him on set with his wife, , who portrayed . Following the 2019 release of , which he co-wrote, produced, and starred in, Van Patten continued his involvement in production by developing a sequel to the film as of late 2023. The project builds on the original's themes of high-stakes and personal redemption, with Van Patten collaborating on the script alongside family and industry contacts. Van Patten has maintained a presence in media through interviews reflecting on his multifaceted career, including a 2023 discussion with Awful Announcing where he addressed his transitions between , , poker, and emerging pursuits. In the conversation, he highlighted the enduring appeal of across mediums, noting how his roots inform his current endeavors. As of 2025, Van Patten has no confirmed new acting credits or soap opera roles announced, though his earlier work in the genre, such as on The Young and the Restless, continues to influence fan interest in potential returns.

Pickleball and other pursuits

In recent years, Vincent Van Patten has transitioned into professional pickleball, leveraging his athletic background from tennis to excel in the sport. He turned professional in 2024, competing on the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) tour in the senior pro division for players over 50, where he achieved a ranking of No. 6 in the AARP Champions Pro Singles as of late 2023, No. 7 as of November 2025, and won his first career APP gold medal in Men's Masters Pro Doubles at the 2025 AARP Championships in October 2025 (teaming with Todd Murphy). Van Patten participated in the 2024 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, earning recognition as a "renaissance man" for his diverse career spanning acting, tennis, poker, and now pickleball. That year, he also joined the roster of the Coachella Valley Scorpions in the National Pickleball League, contributing to their 2025 championship win. Van Patten's pickleball involvement extended into 2025, with ongoing competitions including the , where he competed in Senior Pro Men's Doubles alongside partner Gabriel Joseph. He has also innovated within the sport by inventing the Power Flick Trainer, a tool designed to enhance player technique, reflecting his commitment to its growth. Describing his initial skepticism toward as a "tennis snob," Van Patten has since embraced it as a competitive outlet that aligns with his multifaceted lifestyle. Beyond , Van Patten has pursued writing and producing in film, co-writing and starring in the 2019 poker-themed movie , which drew from his personal experiences in the game. He maintains an active presence in media creation through social platforms, sharing insights on sports, fitness, and personal resilience, and engages in motivational speaking engagements that highlight his career transitions. As of 2025, Van Patten continues to balance professional tournaments with digital content production, embodying a dynamic post-tennis chapter focused on inspiration and innovation.

References

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