…to fill my day with love. Sometimes when I’ve left things to chance during my California visits, they don’t always work out as hope for. For instance, we when thought that Ray Bradbury would be present at one of his plays, or more importantly when I though that meeting David Garrison after his performance of Wicked would be a no-brainer, I was left disappointed. However, meeting up with Dick Van Patten worked out just as planned…or at least hoped-for.
Dick Van Patten of course played the patriarch Tom Bradord in the series Eight is Enough from 1977-81. I honestly wasn’t a huge fan of the series, but had certainly seen several of them over the years. My personal favorite role of Van Patten’s was in Mel Brooks’ High Anxiety. He would go on to star in two other Brooks films Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights as well. Of course, he made occasional guest appearance in favorite sit-coms of mine over the years as well: Sanford and Son, Happy Days, and Arrested Development for example. And you may recall the commericials of the pet food company that he had founded, Natural Balance Pet Food (seen at top).
Bob had known that Dick Van Patten was a staple at the Santa Anita Racetrack. And sure enough, when we visited the races on Thursday, October 9, 2008, there he was big as you please enjoying the races. We waited until he got up to either go place a bet or use ther restroom and then Bob and I approached him.
Bob attends the races frequently so it is likely that Van Patten recognized him. Either way, he treated Bob like an old friend. And when Bob introduced me to him, he treated me the same way. When I told him that I was from Dayton, he told me of his fondness for the city and we discussed how he used to perform in the Kinley players and frequented Marions Piazza after the shows. We also talked about Jonathan Winters being from Dayton and how I had attended the funeral of my friend George’s father, which was held in one of Winters’ former homes. He said he’d ask him about it when he saw him. All part of hob-knobbing with the stars.
Dick was all to happy to sign the photo that I had just purchased at the Hollywood Collectors Show and brough with me…and of course pose for a picture. Out of force of habit, I almost reached for my wallet. But then I remembered that celebrities who were genuinely please to meet with their fans still existed. Dick Van Patten is certainly one of those…and quite a class act.
Return to Thursday in California…
Dick has always been nothing but a gentleman each time I have seen him at the races or elsewhere.
Bob
April 3rd, 2009