Growing Pains actor Alan Thicke dies aged 69
The Canadian actor best known for his role in the 1980s sitcom died of a heart attack in Burbank, California.
Alan Thicke, the Canadian actor best known for his leading role in the 1980s TV series Growing Pains, has died, a source close to the family said on Tuesday.
Thicke played the father, Jason Seaver, on the popular family sitcom which ran on American network ABC from 1985 to 1992.
The show was followed by TV movies Growing Pains Movie in 2000 and Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers in 2004.
He also had a successful career as a TV theme song composer. He has been credited for, alongside his then-wife Gloria Loring, for writing the theme for Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life.
More recently Thicke was in the cast of Fuller House, a remake of the popular 1990s sitcom Full House.
Thicke was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2013. He was married three times and leaves behind three kids. His son Robin Thicke is a famous American producer, singer and songwriter.
Alan Thicke will forever be one of our favorite TV dads. #RIP pic.twitter.com/JK8tGN9LiO
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 14, 2016
America loved Alan Thicke. I'm so sad he's gone. Sending so much love to his family.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 14, 2016
Alan Thicke was always the nicest and happiest person in the room. Gone way too soon. Rest In Peace.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 14, 2016
Thanks for the laughs, Alan Thicke! You'll be missed. pic.twitter.com/3GM3shwG3F
— Funny Or Die (@funnyordie) December 14, 2016
RIP ALAN THICKE . Grateful to have been in your presence. pic.twitter.com/wbT0RBeiCe
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) December 14, 2016
The NHL family is sad to learn of the passing of longtime hockey fan Alan Thicke. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5ADyWRksuf
— NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2016
RIP to my brother Alan Thicke. The world has lost an icon. pic.twitter.com/zIK0hzjihK
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 14, 2016