James Van Patten

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) 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…