Biographie
James Van Patten (Jimmy) is a seasoned actor, writer, and producer with lifelong experience in film, television, and theater.
Born and raised in New York, James followed his father, actor Dick Van Patten, into the entertainment world. As a teenager, his family moved to Hollywood, where he was soon cast as a reform school boy on the popular TV series The Odd Couple, launching his acting career.
James grew up guest-starring on numerous TV shows, mini-series, and feature films. He led two television series of his own and starred opposite Robert Preston in the acclaimed mini-series The Chisholms for CBS, which later became an NBC series where he reprised his role as Bo Chisholm.
He also starred in Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment comedy series Poison for Showtime, working alongside many stars from The Second City.
James boasts over 40 film credits, including Freaky Friday opposite Jodie Foster, Roller Boogie with Linda Blair, Lifeguard with Sam Elliott, California Dreaming with Seymour Cassel, Life Stinks and 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, and Nightmare Boulevard co-starring Ron Perlman as Detective Jackson.
He played the lead in Young Warriors, released worldwide by Cannon Pictures alongside Richard Roundtree and Ernest Borgnine. Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times praised his performance, stating, "Indulging a self-destructiveness of truly epic proportions, Van Patten exudes that old live-fast die-young appeal... Van Patten is really the whole show."
James appeared in the popular horror franchise Saw, reprising his role as Dr. Heffner in Saw 4, Saw 6, and Saw 7: The Final Chapter in 3D.
More recently, he co-starred as Dr. Weisman alongside Academy Award winners Nicolas Cage, Faye Dunaway, and Gina Gershon in the suspense thriller Inconceivable.
His latest feature, the award-winning 7 Days to Vegas, was released worldwide on September 20, 2019, in limited theaters and is now streaming. James co-starred and produced this dark comedy with his brother Vincent Van Patten, receiving critical acclaim.
Described as "A gem of a film... Wildly entertaining!" by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times, and "An exhilarating and ultra-satisfying switcheroo" by Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Days to Vegas was an official selection at the 2019 Palm Springs International Film Festival and won Best Comedy at the 2019 California Film Festival. It also earned four awards at the 2021 Garden State Film Festival, including Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Ensemble, and Best Picture.
James’s theater credits include Mr. Roberts at the San Antonio Fiesta Theater, Breakfast with Les and Bess at Burt Reynolds’s Jupiter Theater, the world premiere of Passengers touring with the Frank Kenley Players, and Harvey at The Laguna Playhouse with Charles Durning.
He later appeared alongside his father Dick Van Patten and Frank Gorshin in the critically acclaimed national tour of The Sunshine Boys (2001-2002), performing in over 100 U.S. cities as Ben Silverman. The production was widely praised, with reviews highlighting James’s strong, sympathetic, and humorous portrayal.
James wrote the book and lyrics for The Flunky The Musical, a Broadway musical comedy adaptation of the film The Flunky, which he produced and starred in with his brother Vincent. He collaborated with music icon Debbie Gibson, who co-wrote the music and lyrics.
James and Vincent continue to write and produce together under their company, Van Patten Brothers Entertainment.
He is currently awaiting the 2025 release of the film Fate, in which he stars opposite Harvey Keitel, Faye Dunaway, Andrew McCarthy, Cheech Marin, and Mena Suvari, who plays his wife.
