Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Timothy Van Patten Biography

Birth Name:Christopher Van Patten

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Profession Director, Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Won a Critics Choice Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association in 2011 for "The Pacific," along with Jeremy Podeswa and David Nutter
Won the Writers Guild Award in 2001 for an episode of "The Sopranos," along with Terrence Winter
He and Terence Winter won an Edgar Award for an episode of "The Sopranos" in 2001
Bruce Paltrow mentored him about television and film while working with him in several productions
Graduated from Massapequa High School in the same class as Stray Cats guitarist Brian Setzer and professional football player Brian Baldinger
Quote: "I think I know how to put an actor at ease․ I don't know the language, if there is a language, but I think every actor comes to the set with their own needs and then you have to handle them accordingly․"
Quote: "I think my life experience informs my directing much more than my acting skills․"
As an actor, he is best known for playing Salami on "The White Shadow․"
Found his niche directing episodes of several acclaimed HBO series including "The Sopranos," "Sex and the City," "The Wire" and "Boardwalk Empire․"
At 19, he was the only actor technically still in his teens on the fictional high school basketball team in "The White Shadow․"

Awards

2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2002Edgar-Best Television Episode: winner
2002WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Drama: winner
2003DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series - Night: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2004DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series: winner
2004Gold Derby TV Award-Episode of the Year: winner
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2005DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series: winner
2005DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series - Night: nominated
2005OFTA Television Award-Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2007DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series - Night: nominated
2008BAFTA TV Award-Best Drama Series: nominated
2008DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode of the Decade: nominated
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
2011BAFTA TV Award-Best International: nominated
2011Banff Rockie Award-Best Continuing Series: nominated
2011Critics Choice Award-Best Picture Made for Television: winner
2011DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Mini-Series: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2011PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
2011Peabody Award-: winner
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
2011WGA Award (TV)-Drama Series: nominated
2011WGA Award (TV)-New Series: winner
2012Banff Rockie Award-Best Continuing Series: winner
2012DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series: nominated
2012Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: winner
2012Golden Nymph-Outstanding International Producer (Drama Series): nominated
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2012PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: winner
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: nominated
2017Emmy-Outstanding Historical Documentary: nominated
2018BAFTA TV Award-Best Single Drama: nominated