Nels Van Patten

Richard Nels Van Patten (born January 15, 1955), known as Nels Van Patten, is an American actor and former professional tennis player. He is married to Nancy Valen.

Born in Brooklyn, Van Patten is the eldest son of actor Dick Van Patten and the former Patricia Poole. He is named after the character "Nels Hansen" that his father played on the TV series Mama. His youngest brother, Vincent, was also a tennis player and the pair won a Challenger doubles title together in Athens in 1981.