James Van Patten

Biography

Date of Birth 7 October 1956, Brooklyn, New York, USA Mini Biography James (Jimmy) Van Patten is an accomplished actor, writer and producer with a lifetime involvement in the entertainment industry, encompassing film, television, and theater. He has been critically acclaimed as an actor and has received awards for screen writing and producing. His independent production company, which he co-founded with his brother, released its first feature film to theaters in 1996. Born and raised in New York, James followed in the footsteps of his father, actor Dick Van Patten, as a professional actor by age twelve. When Jimmy was a teenager, the Van Pattens moved to Hollywood, where he was immediately cast as a reform school boy in the hit television series "The Odd Couple" (1970), launching a successful acting career. He grew up guest-starring on television series, mini-series and feature films. As an adult, Jimmy also starred in two television series of his own. He starred opposite Robert Preston in the award winning series, "The Chisholms" (1979) for CBS, playing the role of "Bo Chisholm". He also starred in Ron Howard and Brian Grazer comedy series Poison (1988) (TV) for Showtime, opposite Andrea Martin and Bud Cort. Van Patten also has impressive film credits with roles in over 30 motion pictures, including "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again" "Freaky Friday", (opposite Jody Foster) "Roller Boogie", "Lifeguard" and "California Dreaming". He Received critical acclaim starring in the feature film, "Young Warriors" released in theaters worldwide through Cannon Pictures. On the comedic side, Jimmy was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans in "Don't Be a Menace in South Central" and appeared in two Mel Brooks productions, "Life Stinks" and "Robin Hood Men in Tights". Recently he has appeared in the popular horror films, "Saw IV", as Dr. Heffner and reprises his role in "Saw VI" to be released on Halloween, 2009. Jimmy's theater experience includes "Mr. Roberts" at the San Antonio Fiesta Theater, "Breakfast with Les and Bess" at the Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theater, The World Debut of "Passengers" touring with the Frank Kenley Players, and the critically acclaimed national tour of "The Sunshine Boys" (2001-2003), appearing in over 100 cities in the role of "Ben Silverman". He also appeared in "Harvey" with Charles Durning at the Laguna Playhouse and at the Cord Theater on Broadway (2004). Jimmy once again did a run of "The Sunshine Boys" in Boston in 2005 where it received "Honorable Mention" by the New England Theatre "Addison Awards" - Boston area's equivalent of the Tony. In addition to his acting career, Jimmy wrote and created the comedy, Dirty Tennis (1989) (V) for MCA which won the New York and VSDA Awards for "Best Comedy Video of the Year" (1990). As a producer, Jimmy and his brother, Vincent Van Patten, formed "Autumn Winds Productions" in 1995. Their first feature film, The Break (1995), starring Martin Sheen and Vincent Van Patten was theatrically released by Trimark Pictures. Jimmy and Vince also wrote and produced, "The Flunky", directed by Vincent Van Patten and starring Jimmy Van Patten, Dean Stockwell and Farrah Fawcett. "The Flunky" won two key creative awards, "Best Cinematography on a Feature Film" and "Best Director" on a Feature Film" at the 2001 Port Hueneme International Film Festival. Jimmy has just completed writing the stage-book adaptation of "The Flunky" as a musical comedy for Broadway. Van Patten and Deborah Gibson (who co-wrote the music with Jimmy) are collaborating on this very exciting project. Trivia Son of actor Dick Van Patten and Pat Van Patten. Brother of actors Vincent Van Patten, Nels Van Patten, half-nephew of Timothy Van Patten Brother-in-law of Nancy Valen and Eileen Davidson. Nephew of Joyce Van Patten and Timothy Van Patten. Cousin of Talia Balsam. Ex-brother-in-law of Betsy Russell.