Skip to content
MovieCove
Dick Van Patten

Dick Van Patten

Actor · Died June 23, 2015, aged 86 · Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Dick Van Patten was an American actor best known for his role as Tom Bradford on the TV show Eight Is Enough. Van Patten also made appearances in the films Spaceballs, Soylent Green, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 9, 1928
Died
June 23, 2015 (aged 86)
From
Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
63 on MovieCove · 136 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 41% in 30 days

What are Dick Van Patten's films like?

Across their 26 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
46%
Self
21%
Morality
13%
Survival
10%
Society
5%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds12 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 18 · Serious 4 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 14 · Charged 10 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 17 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 12

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 19 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Mentor
2 of 4
Ally
1 of 4
Hero
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
15
Tense
10
Warm
11
Absurd
6
Melancholic
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Feel-good19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dick Van Patten's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 63 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Roku Channel (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dick Van Patten's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

136 credits, 63 with a MovieCove page; 32 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Real Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Hot in Cleveland(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Lester

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Opposite Day(2009)

    as Jack Benson

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Sarah's Choice(2009)

    as Rev. Al Smith

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Sarah Silverman Program.(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Eddie Hackmeyer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Rob & Big(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Living in TV Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Quiet Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Frank Rubin

  • The Sure Hand of God(2004)

    as Jamie Denton

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Arrested Development(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Cal Cullen

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Santa Trap(2002)

    as Santa Claus

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Groom Lake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Irv Barnett

  • Another pretty face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Gary & Mike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Ba (voice)

  • The Price of Air(2000)

    as Mr. Rye

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Big Brother Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Captain Stacey

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Bradford (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Angel on Abbey Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Preacher

  • That '70s Show(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Murph

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Evasive Action(1998)

    as Parole Officer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Demolition University (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Army General

  • The Weird Al Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as The Burglar

  • Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Chester Higgins (segment "The Chess Game")

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as James Rodgers Sr.

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Love Is All There Is(1996)

    as Dr. Rodino

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Demolition High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as General Wainwright

  • Sherman's Way: A Kid's Guide to Coping with Change (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Grandpa

  • Cybill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Dangerous Place(1994)

    as Principal

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Eb · as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Hampton

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Monty Emerson

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Boy Meets World(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Amish Farmer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Odd Couple: Together Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Roy

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Orphanage Worker / Santa

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Robin Hood: Men in Tights(1993)

    as The Abbot

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Joker's Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Max

  • The Golden Palace(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Taylor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Final Embrace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Larch

  • WIOU (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 13 episodes · as Floyd Graham

  • Jake Spanner, Private Eye(1989)

    as The Commodore

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • An Eight Is Enough Wedding(1989)

    as Tom Bradford

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Going to the Chapel(1988)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • 14 Going on 30(1988)

    as Principal John Loonies

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking(1988)

    as Greg the Glue Man

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Couples Do It Debbie's Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Santa Claus

  • Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Tom Bradford

  • Spaceballs(1987)

    as King Roland

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Rags to Riches (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Combat High(1986)

    as Principal

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Picnic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Howard Bevans

  • The Midnight Hour(1985)

    as Martin Grenville

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Growing Pains(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Nick Simpson

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Crazy like a Fox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard

  • The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Mayor Bagley

  • WonderWorks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Mayor

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as District Atty. Fred Whittaker

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Finder of Lost Loves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Nettles

  • Masquerade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Andy Williams' Early New England Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Herbert Pitts

  • High Powder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Tom Reed

  • Lunch Wagon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Bernie Simmons

  • Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker(1979)

    as Herb Thurston

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • $weepstake$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Parking Attendant

  • With This Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Alvin Andrews

  • High Anxiety(1977)

    as Dr. Philip Wentworth

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlie Dillinger · as George Hayes · as Howard Ethan · as John Whitcomb

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dick Van Patten (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Eight Is Enough(1977)

    Show 112 episodes · as Tom Bradford

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Freaky Friday(1976)

    as Harold Jennings

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Shaggy D.A.(1976)

    as Raymond

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Battle of the Network Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Tony Randall Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Myron Dobbs

  • The Love Boat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Dr. Adam O'Neill

  • What's Happening!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Claxton

  • Gus(1976)

    as Cal Wilson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Treasure of Matecumbe(1976)

    as The Gambler

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Wood

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Geeter

  • When Things Were Rotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 13 episodes · as Friar Tuck

  • The Strongest Man in the World(1975)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Hot l Baltimore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kolchak: The Night Stalker(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Alfred Brindle

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Shakespeare Loves Rembrandt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Sorority Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Police Chief

  • The Six Million Dollar Man(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Green · as Palmer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Chopper One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnie Nolan

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Superdad(1973)

    as Ira Kushaw

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Adam's Rib (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Commissioner Hoyt

  • The Girl with Something Extra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Westworld(1973)

    as Banker

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Thicker than Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as John

  • Soylent Green(1973)

    as Usher #1

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Acts of Love and Other Comedies(1973)

    as Larry Grogman

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Barnaby Jones(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Melvin Pearson

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Snowball Express(1972)

    as Mr. Carruthers

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Crooked Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Desk Clerk

  • Dirty Little Billy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Berle's Customer

  • The Century Turns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Earl Enright

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as John Collins · as Sterling · as Thurman Barber

  • Banyon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Brian Keith Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Banacek(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Donald Morgan

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Paul Lynde Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Wait Till Your Father Gets Home(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Joe Kidd(1972)

    as Hotel Manager

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Son of Blob(1972)

    as Scoutmaster Adleman

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Carter Merkle · as Morris Meers

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Sanford and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The New Dick Van Dyke Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 8 episodes · as Max Mathias · as Mr. Compton

  • The Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 20 episodes · as Sgt. Nelson Higgenbottom

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Making It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Warren

  • A Memory of Two Mondays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Raymond

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Raymond

  • Zachariah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as The Dude

  • Arnie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Homer · as Jack

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Man at Hotel

  • Charly(1968)

    as Bert

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Adam-12(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Curtis

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Secret Dream Models of Oliver Nibble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Oliver

  • That Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • I Dream of Jeannie(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Market Clerk

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Violent Midnight(1963)

    as Lt. Palmer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Matt Reston

  • Young Doctor Malone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 322 episodes · Actor

  • Mama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 57 episodes · as Nels Hansen

  • Kraft Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 136 titles from 1947 to 2012; peak year 1976.

Biggest box office

Spaceballs (1987)

$38M worldwide

Highest rated

Spaceballs (1987)

Midcredits 81st

Most popular right now

Eight Is Enough (1977)

Film career

19472012

Peak 1976 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting136 of 136: 136 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score50th

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s2 · acting1960s8 · acting1970s59 · acting1980s24 · acting1990s25 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s2 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
6883

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Dick Van Patten's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 39th percentile, the median of all 33; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 45th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 63 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

28 of their 63 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser28
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

Sarah's Choice (2009)

96th percentile spread · 35% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Soylent Green (1973)

Midcredits 81st · 73% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 23 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Dick Van Patten's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 2 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles14–36 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles21–44 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Dick Van Patten work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dick Van Patten's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Vincent McEveety shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers