Charismatic actor Dick Van Patten, star of the popular 1970s "Eight is Enough" television series, died Tuesday in Los Angeles aged 86.
The actor, who also starred in "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," "Happy Days" and "The Love Boat," died of complications from diabetes, his publicist said.
Van Patten was best known for his starring role as the fun-loving father in the "Eight is Enough" family drama, which ran from 1977 to 1981.
The ubiquitous actor said the show`s cancellation came as a surprise.
"Nobody called me to tell me it was canceled. I read it in the paper," he said, according to industry database IMDb.
In his later career, he appeared in the cult favorite "Arrested Development" series and the prime-time hit "That `70s Show."
He also featured in several Broadway productions and Hollywood films, including the original "Freaky Friday" in 1976 with Jodie Foster and the Mel Brooks comedies "High Anxiety" (1977), "Spaceballs" (1987) and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" (1993).
Van Patten and wife Patricia were married for more than 60 years and had three children together.
