Joyce Van Patten is a highly acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances on stage, in movies, and on TV. With a career spanning decades, she has captivated audiences with her sardonic, sarcastic, witty, and nervous portrayals of characters. From her early beginnings on Broadway to her critically acclaimed appearances Off-Broadway, Van Patten has showcased her immense talent in productions such as ‘This Rock’, ‘The Perfect Marriage’, ‘Spoon River Anthology’, ‘The Seagull’, and ‘The Vagina Monologues’. In addition to her stage work, she has also made a significant impact in the film industry, starring in notable movies like ‘I Love You, Alice B. Toklas’, ‘The Falcon and the Snowman’, and ‘Marley & Me’. Television has also been a platform for Van Patten’s success, with memorable roles in shows like ‘Boardwalk Empire’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, and ‘Unhappily Ever After’. Despite the passage of time, Joyce Van Patten continues to be a formidable presence in the world of acting.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Joyce Benignia Van Patten
- Age: 89 Years, 89 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Dennis Dugan (m. 1973–1987), Hal Lynch (m.1968-1970), Martin Balsam (m. 1957-1962), Thomas King (m.1950-1953)
- Father: Richard Byron Van Patten
- Mother: Josephine Rose Acerno
- Children: Casey King, Talia Balsam
- Born Country: United States
- Ancestry: Italian American
- City: New York City
- U.S. State: New Yorkers
Joyce Van Patten’s Early Career
Joyce Van Patten’s career in the entertainment world began at a young age, thanks to her mother’s involvement in showbiz. Even before her first birthday, her mother was taking her to auditions and modeling opportunities. At the age of two in 1936, she made her stage debut as the winner of a ‘Shirley Temple look-alike contest’ at the ‘RKO Theatre’ in Richmond Hill, New York. She continued to make a name for herself in the industry, making her Broadway debut at the age of six in ‘Love’s Old Sweet Song’ in 1940.
Throughout her career, Joyce Van Patten returned to Broadway and delivered critically acclaimed performances. Some notable productions she was a part of include ‘Popsy’ in 1941, ‘Tomorrow the World’ from 1943 to 1944, ‘The Bees and the Flowers’ in 1946, ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’ from 1983 to 1986, and ‘The People in the Picture’ in 2011.
Film and Television Career
Joyce Van Patten made her movie debut at the age of seven in ‘Reg’lar Fellers’ in 1941. She also appeared in TV series such as ‘Repertory Theatre’ in 1948 and ‘Armstrong Circle Theatre’ in 1950. Her first recurring roles were in the series ‘Kraft Theatre’ from 1949 to 1951 and ‘Mama’ in 1954. She continued to build her portfolio through various TV shows, including ‘Young Dr. Malone’ from 1959 to 1960, ‘The New Loretta Young Show’ in 1962, ‘The Alfred Hitchcock Hour’ in 1963, and ‘The Untouchables’ in 1963.
Some of her best recurring roles during this period were in ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis’ from 1961 to 1963, ‘Perry Mason’ from 1963 to 1965, and ‘The Good Guys’ from 1968 to 1970. While leading roles in mainstream movies eluded her, she delivered praiseworthy performances in films such as ‘Bone’ in 1972, ‘Mame’ in 1974, ‘The Manchu Eagle Murder Caper Mystery’ in 1975, and ‘The Bad News Bears’ in 1976.
Joyce Van Patten also starred in TV series such as ‘Columbo’ from 1974 to 1976, ‘The Rockford Files’ in 1977, and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Hour’ in 1979. She gained popularity among audiences for her appearances in TV movies, including ‘A Christmas for Boomer’ in 1979, ‘The Demon Murder Case’ in 1983, and ‘Malice in Wonderland’ in 1985. In 1985, she returned to mainstream movies and delivered an amazing performance in the classic ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’. In the 1990s, she appeared in the series ‘All My Children’ in 1993 and ‘Unhappily Ever After’ from 1995 to 1996.
Later Career and Personal Life
In 2002, Joyce Van Patten delivered noteworthy performances in TV series such as ‘The Sopranos’, ‘NYPD Blue’, and ‘Judging Amy’ from 2002 to 2003. She also appeared in the series ‘Desperate Housewives’ in 2005 and starred in comedy blockbusters ‘Marley & Me’ in 2008 and ‘Grown Ups’ in 2010. She continued to make appearances in TV shows and movies, including an episode of ‘Boardwalk Empire’ in 2014 and the movie ‘Diane’ in 2018.
In terms of her personal life, Joyce Van Patten was born on March 9, 1934, in New York City, New York, USA. She had an older brother, actor Richard Vincent Van Patten, and a half-brother, director-producer Timothy Van Patten. She was married multiple times, with her marriages including Thomas Casey King, Martin Balsam, Hal Lynch, and Dennis Dugan. She had children with Thomas Casey King and Martin Balsam.