Alan Thicke, the 1980s television star best known as the patriarch on ABC’s “Growing Pains,” died on Tuesday, his publicist confirmed. He was 69.
TMZ, who was first to report the news, said the actor had a heart attack Tuesday afternoon and was taken to the hospital in Burbank, where he was pronounced dead. His publicist, who characterized his passing as “sudden,” declined to release any further information.
While Thicke was most famous for playing Jason Seaver on “Growing Pains,” the Canada native had an extensive resume. In 1980, he hosted a popular Canadian daytime talk show called “The Alan Thicke Show,” which he parlayed into a short-lived American talk show, “Thicke of the Night.”
Thicke appeared in a wide variety of shows over the years, including “Married. . .With Children,” “Love Boat,” and a stint on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” He had several memorable guest spots on “How I Met Your Mother,” where he played up his Canadian roots, and recently stopped by “This Is Us” and “Fuller House.”
Thicke is survived by his wife, Tanya Callau, and his sons, Carter, Brennan and Robin Thicke, the pop star behind “Blurred Lines.” The entire family could recently be seen on “Unusually Thicke,” a mockumentary starring Thicke on the Pop TV network.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Alan’s passing,” said Brad Schwartz, president of Pop TV. “He was a part of our Pop family and was a tremendous talent. He was also for all who knew him, an amazing father and a true gentleman. We had the privilege to work with America’s Favorite Dad and his loss is one that is deeply felt.”
Thicke was a much-loved figure in Hollywood: As word spread of his death on Tuesday night, many celebrities and former colleagues immediately posted tributes on social media.
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