Whatever Happened to Joyce Van Patten, TV Actor and Aunt of ‘Amanda Knox’s Grace Van Patten?

The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox arrives on Hulu today (Aug. 20), retelling the true story (and various misconceptions) surrounding Amanda Knox’s wrongful murder conviction. With Grace Van Patten starring as the titular Amanda Knox, she continues in the family business, adding her name alongside her uncle Dick Van Patten (Eight Is Enough), cousin Vincent Van Patten (Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, Baywatch) and aunt Joyce Van Patten.

Joyce began her acting career at an early age. According to her IMDB biography, she was on Broadway at age 6 in the play “Popsy” in 1941. After a brief time on the stage, she transitioned to television roles, making her debut as a regular performer on The Danny Kaye Show.

It was the start of a long and illustrious television career. Joyce Van Patten played Jancie Turner Hughes on As The World Turns in 1956. From there, she appeared in episodes of your favorite shows: The Untouchables, Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, The Outer Limits, The Rockford Files, The Bob Newhart Show, The Odd Couple, and Love, American Style.

In 1968, she starred opposite Bob Denver and Herb Edelman in The Good Guys. She was also a recurring performer on The Mary Tyler Moore Hour in 1979.

Everett Collection

Joyce Van Patten is also no stranger to movies. She made her first credited role in 1958’s The Goddess. She also played Sally Cato in Lucille Ball’s 1974 cinematic adaptation of Mame. But she is best remembered as Cleveland in 1976’s The Bad News Bears, Mrs. Beamish in 1985’s St. Elmo’s Fire and Gloria Noonan in 2010’s Grown Ups.

In recent years, she has appeared on Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife, Desperate Housewives, and the series If I’m Alive Next Week.

Joyce Van Patten was married twice. She was briefly married to actor Martin Balasm (1959 to 1962). The union produced her only child, daughter Talia Balsam. Joyce married again in 1973 to actor/director Dennis Dugan (longtime creative partner of Adam Sandler). Dennis and Joyce divorced in 1987.

As of 2025, the 91-year-old Joyce appears to be retired. There is an Instagram account attributed to her, though it has been dormant since 2021.