James Van Patten (Jimmy) is an accomplished European-American actor, writer and producer with a lifetime involvement in the entertainment industry, encompassing film, television and theater.
Born and raised in New York, James followed in the footsteps of his father, actor Dick Van Patten. As a teenager the Van Pattens moved to Hollywood where James was immediately cast as a reform school boy in the hit television series"The ODD COUPLE" launching a successful acting career.
James literally grew up guest-starring on television series, mini-series and feature films. James starred in two television series of his own. He starred opposite Robert Preston in the award winning mini-series, THE CHISHOLM'S for CBS which later became a television series for NBC in which he reprised his role as Bo Chisholm.
James also starred in Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment's comedy series "POISON" for Showtime working with many of the most successful stars from the "Second City" on various episodes.
James also has impressive film credits with roles in over 40 motion pictures. To name a few, FREAKY FRIDAY opposite Jody Foster, ROLLER BOOGIE with Linda Blair, LIFEGUARD with Sam Elliot, CALIFORNIA DREAMING with Seymour Cassel, LIFE STINKS with Mel Brooks, ROBIN HOOD MEN IN TIGHTS, with Mel Brooks, THE FLUNKY with Farrah Fawcett, THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG RIDES AGAIN, with Don Knotts and Tim Conway, DON'T BE A MENACE IN SOUTH CENTRAL, directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, NIGHTMARE BOULEVARD co-starring with Ron Perlman as Detective Jackson.
James played the lead role in the film, YOUNG WARRIORS, released by Cannon Pictures world-wide with Richard Roundtree and Ernest Borgnine. James received rave reviews as well as this one from Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times -
"Indulging a self-destructiveness of truly, epic proportions, Van Patten exudes that old live-fast die-young appeal. (Also on hand are Lynda Day George as his mother, Anne Lockhart as his distraught girlfriend and Richard Roundtree as Borgnine's partner, but Van Patten is really the whole show.)"
James also appeared in the popular Horror film franchise, SAW, reprising his character of Dr. Heffner in SAW 4, SAW 6 and SAW 7 - THE FINAL CHAPTER in 3D.
More recently James co-starred opposite Academy Award winning actors Nicolas Cage, Faye Dunaway and Gina Gershon in the part of Dr. Weisman in the suspense thriller INCONCEIVABLE.
James's latest feature film, the award winning, 7 DAYS TO VEGAS, had its worldwide release September 20th, 2019. It was released in limited theaters and now streaming. James and his brother Vincent Van Patten co-starred and produced this dark comedy that has been critically acclaimed.
"A gem of a film... Wildly entertaining!", Richard Roper, Chicago Sun Times.
"An exhilarating and ultra-satisfying switcheroo", Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter.
7 DAYS TO VEGAS was an official selection of The Palm Springs International Film Festival 2019 and was the Winner of Best Comedy of the California Film Festival 2019. 7 DAYS TO VEGAS also won 4 awards at the Garden State Film Festival, New Jersey, 2021 - Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Ensemble and Best Picture.
