TV Star Dick Van Patten has been confirmed to be dead at 86.

According to a report from CNN, the actor passed away yesterday. The death of the actor best known for his role in the long-running series "Eight is Enough" during the 70's, was confirmed by his long-time agent Budd Burton Moss.

The report mentioned that Van Patten died Tuesday morning in Sta. Monica. California. His agent also said that Van Patten was "Ill for a long time." Van Patten was perhaps best known for his role as the father in the 1970s series "Eight is Enough."

In a career spanning more than eight decades, Van Patten first became recognized as a child actor back in the 40's. He appeared in the show "Mama," based on the movie "I Remember Mama."

News about Dick Van Patten being dead was a hard hit for fans, as he was a staple on American television shows during the 50's to the early 80's appearing in several high-rating shows such as the police drama "Naked City," the comedy sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie," and another comedy show "Love, American Style."

Aside from those written above, the TV star appeared in three movies by Mel Brooks as well as in many commercials during the 60's and 70's. He also had many character roles in plenty of films and appeared in 1968's "Charly," and 1973's "Westworld." Van Patten was also active on the stage appearing in several Broadway productions throughout the decade.

While his list of works are not to be frowned upon, the late actor's most prominent role was playing as Tom Bradford in "Eight is Enough." In that role, Van Patten played a newspaper columnist based in Sacramento, California with eight children. The show was based on a book by journalist and political activist Thomas Braden.

In a previous interview, he explained to the Academy of American Television that his role as Tom Bradford is very similar to how he is in real life. "Tom Bradford was very much like me, his family came first, his career second," he said. "It was the same with me."

Since the reports came out telling the public that Dick Van Patten is dead, fans and colleagues have been mourning and have been praying for his loved ones.