Joyce Van Patten
USABiography of Joyce Van Patten
Joyce Benignia Van Patten was an American theater and film actress, best known for her television roles. She was born on March 9, 1934, in New York City, to Josephine Rose, an American of Italian descent who had a career in the advertising business, and Richard Byron Van Patten, an American of Dutch descent who worked as an interior designer.
Early Career
Joyce's ambitious and determined mother had her start modeling diapers for the Sears catalog when she was just five months old. As a toddler, Joyce accompanied her older brother Dick to auditions, even auditioning for the role of Bonnie Blue Butler in the iconic film "Gone with the Wind." However, the role ultimately went to another actress. Nevertheless, both Joyce and her brother demonstrated their natural talent at a young age.
When Joyce turned six, she started performing on radio and made her Broadway debut in William Saroyan's play "Love's Old Sweet Song." The following year, she and her brother appeared in the comedy film "Reg'lar Fellers" based on a popular comic series. In 1945, they acted together in the premiere of Ralph Nelson's play "The Wind Is Ninety."
Television Career
In 1948, at the age of fourteen, Joyce made her television debut in an episode of "The Philco Television Playhouse" and continued to work in television throughout her career. At sixteen, she got married and had a son named Thomas Casey King in 1951, but the marriage ended in divorce.
Joyce went on to play notable adult roles in popular plays such as "The Desk Set" in 1955 and "Hole In The Head" in 1957. She often portrayed intelligent, cynical, and down-to-earth characters, avoiding relying solely on her beauty. Joyce appeared in various television series, including "As the World Turns," "The Danny Kaye Show," "The Good Guys," "Gunsmoke," "The Untouchables," "Perry Mason," "The Twilight Zone," "The Rockford Files," "Hawaii Five-O," "The Odd Couple," "Law & Order," "Columbo," and "The Sopranos." Her last television appearance was in 2005 in the series "Desperate Housewives."
Joyce also had a film career, starring in the comedy "Grown Ups" in 2010 and the Italian film "This Must Be the Place" directed by Paolo Sorrentino, set to be released in 2011.
Family and Personal Life
Joyce Van Patten comes from a well-known acting dynasty. Her older brother Dick Van Patten also became a respected actor, and her younger stepbrother Tim Van Patten followed in their father's footsteps, pursuing a career as an actor and director. Joyce was married three times. Her second husband, actor Martin Balsam, whom she married in 1959, was the father of her daughter Talia Balsam, who also became an actress. Interestingly, Joyce played Martin Balsam's character's ex-wife in the film "St. Elmo's Fire" in 1985. From 1989 to 1993, Joyce was married to actor George Clooney, who was Talia's husband at the time. Her third marriage was to actor and director Dennis Dugan from 1973 to 1987.
Throughout her career, Joyce Van Patten established herself as one of the most sought-after television actresses of her generation, known for her diverse roles and natural talent.
