Dick Van Patten 'Love Boat' & '8 Is Enough' Actor Dead at Age 86

Legendary film and TV actor Dick Van Patten passed away this week at the age of 86. The dead actor is best known for his roles on Eight is Enough, The Love Boat and a number of Mel Brooks films. Patten was one of the most recognizable faces of family sitcoms from the '70s and '80s. His cause of death is still unknown at this time, but one thing is for sure: he will be missed.

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"I am sorry to report this sad news," a representative of the Van Patten family said in a statement to the media hours after the actor died, according to Entertainment Weekly.  "His family will not be doing any press at this time."

A native of Kew Gardens in Queens, NY, Van Patten started his acting career at a young age, staring on Broadway at the age of 7 years old. Since this debut, the actor went on to star in 30 more productions in the theater (via People).

He made TV appearances in The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Happy Days, Arrested Development, That '70s Show, Hot in Cleveland and many more. In 2009, he penned an autobiography entitled Eighty is Enough.

Let us know what you think of this said news in the comments section below!

R.I.P. #DickVanPatten. A lovely man, and one of #TV's great #father figures. pic.twitter.com/wLxZHcvaFi

— Jay Bobbin (@TMSJay) June 23, 2015

RIP #DickVanPatten; you will live forever on my TV, whether it be as Tom Bradford or any of the other zillion characters you played. — Karen (@Huntress62) June 23, 2015

RIP, King Roland. #dickvanpatten

— Lee Clontz (@clontz) June 23, 2015

Sad to see the news that actor #dickvanpatten has died. #EightIsEnough — Elizabeth Woolsey (@ewoolseywdrb) June 23, 2015