Draft:James Van Patten
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James Van Patten | |
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| Born | James Van Patten 1956 (age 69–70)[1] Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1972–present |
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James Van Patten is an American actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He is best known for his role as Dr. Adam Heffner in the Saw film series, as well as his roles in television and film during a career spanning several decades.
Early life and family
[edit]James Van Patten was born in 1956 in Brooklyn, New York. He comes from a family in the entertainment industry:[1]
- He is the son of actor Dick Van Patten and former dancer Patricia Poole.
- He is the brother of actor and former professional tennis player Vincent Van Patten and actor Nels Van Patten.
- He is the nephew of actress Joyce Van Patten and director/actor Timothy Van Patten, as well as the cousin of actress Talia Balsam.
Career
[edit]Van Patten began his acting career in the early 1970s, making guest appearances on popular television series such as The Odd Couple and Happy Days.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, he appeared in film productions including Freaky Friday (1976), Hot Lead and Cold Feet (1978), California Dreaming (1979), and Roller Boogie (1979).[1]
In 1989, he wrote and starred in the sports comedy short Dirty Tennis alongside his father Dick Van Patten, Caitlyn Jenner[a], and Nicollette Sheridan.
In the 2000s, Van Patten gained broader recognition among horror film fans for playing the recurring role of Dr. Adam Heffner (the coroner) in the Saw franchise, appearing in Saw IV (2007), Saw VI (2009),[3] and Saw 3D (2010).[4]
He has also worked as a screenwriter and producer, co-writing and producing films such as 7 Days to Vegas (2019).[5][6]
Personal life
[edit]He was married to Shana Hiatt.[1]
In the 1980s, con artist James B. Turner impersonated Van Patten to exploit fans of his father, Dick Van Patten.[7]
Selected filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Lifeguard | Surfer | [1] | |
| 1976 | Freaky Friday | Cashier | As Jimmy Van Patten | [1] |
| 1977 | The Ghost of Cypress Swamp | Bucky Landers | ||
| 1978 | Hot Lead and Cold Feet | Jake | [1] | |
| 1979 | California Dreaming | Rick | As Jimmy Van Patten | [1] |
| 1979 | The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again | First soldier | [1] | |
| 1979 | Roller Boogie | Hoppy | As Jimmy Van Patten | [1] |
| 1981 | Lunch Wagon | Biff | [1] | |
| 1983 | Young Warriors | Kevin Carrigan | [1] | |
| 1987 | The Underachievers | Todd | As Jimmy Van Patten | [1] |
| 1989 | Dirty Tennis | Jimmy | Also writer[1] | |
| 1991 | Life Stinks | Wheelchair attendant | [1] | |
| 1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights | Villager | [1] | |
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | Harvard man | [1] | |
| 1996 | Backyard Dogs | Tyler Mann | [1] | |
| 2004 | Quiet Kill | Jackson | As Jimmy Van Patton [sic] | [1] |
| 2007 | Saw IV | Dr. Adam Heffner | [3] | |
| 2008 | Saw V | Dr. Adam Heffner | Cameo / Uncredited | |
| 2009 | Saw VI | Dr. Adam Heffner | [3] | |
| 2010 | Saw 3D | Dr. Adam Heffner | [4] | |
| 2011 | A Thousand Cuts | Frank | Also producer | |
| 2017 | Inconceivable | Dr. Weisman | ||
| 2019 | 7 Days to Vegas | Carl | Also co-writer and producer | [5][6] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Odd Couple | Mike | 1 episode | [1] |
| 1972 | Bonanza | Corky Sibley | 1 episode | [1] |
| 1975 | Three for the Road | 1 episode | [1] | |
| 1977 | Emergency! | Mark | 1 episode | [1] |
| 1977 | Happy Days | Sandy | 3 episodes | [1] |
| 1980 | Lou Grant | Daniels | 1 episode | [1] |
| 1986 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Tony Maskeli | 1 episode | [1] |
| 1987 | The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission | David Webber | Television film | [1] |
| 1997 | Pacific Blue | Gordon De Ville | 1 episode | [1] |
Stage
[edit]| Year | Production | Theater | Role | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Sunshine Boys | The Falcon Theatre | Ben | [8][9] |
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Credited as "Bruce Jenner"; she transitioned in 2015.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 "James Van Patten", Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television, vol. 73, Gale, 2007, Gale K1609021393
- ↑ Buzz Bissinger (June 1, 2015). "Introducing Caitlyn Jenner". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Miska, Brad (2009-04-19). "New Confirmed 'Saw VI' Casting". Bloody Disgusting.
- 1 2 Gerle, Jörg (November 25, 2010), "Saw 3D - Vollendung", Film-Dienst, vol. 63, no. 24, p. 51, ISSN 0720-0781, ProQuest 822910050
- 1 2 Roeper, Richard (2019-09-19). "'7 Days to Vegas': In both poker and comedy, gambling romp knows its stuff". Chicago Sun-Times.
- 1 2 Linden, Sheri (February 1, 2019), "'Walk to Vegas': Film Review", The Hollywood Reporter
- ↑ Carlton, Jim (May 8, 1988), "Impostor Stole Hearts, Money as Celebrities' 'Sons'", Los Angeles Times
- ↑ Kaufman, Ed (May 8, 2002), "The Sunshine Boys", The Hollywood Reporter, vol. 373, no. 18, p. 9, ISSN 0018-3660, Gale A86205622
- ↑ Heffley, Lynne (May 16, 2002), "'Sunshine Boys' a Laugh Expedition", Los Angeles Times
External links
[edit]Category:Living people Category:American film actors Category:American television actors
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