Actor Alan Thicke is dead at 69: Shock as Growing Pains star suffers 'heart attack and dies while playing hockey with his son'

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Actor Alan Thicke has died at the age of 69.

Thicke, known for his role as the likable father on the ABC television series Growing Pains, died from a heart attack.

Carleen Donovan, who is a publicist for Thicke's son, singer Robin Thicke, confirmed that the actor died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. She had no further details.

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Actor Alan Thicke has died age the of 69 from a heart attack on Tuesday

Thicke was known for his role as the likable father on the popular ABC television series Growing Pains

The Canadian-born actor had been playing hockey with his 19-year-old son Carter at Pickwick Ice skating rink in Burbank when he died, according to TMZ.

'Alan's sudden passing has been confirmed. At present, we have no further details,' Thicke's spokeswoman Monique Moss said in a brief email.

A source close to the family told Reuters by telephone that Thicke was transported to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.  

It is believed that some of Thicke's organs will be donated, according to the celebrity gossip site. 

Alan Thicke (left) pictured with his son, singer Robin Thicke last Tuesday. Robin Thicke is a Grammy award nominated singer who is known for R&B and pop hits including 'Blurred Lines' and 'Lost Without U'

Thicke pictured with his wife Tanya in August. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and three sons, Robin, Brennan and Carter

Just hours before news broke of his death, he had tweeted on Tuesday about the Netflix Original series Fuller House, which he most recently appeared in.

He wrote, it what is now his final tweet: 'Season 2 Fuller House looking good. I even like the ones I'm not in! #fullerhouse.'

Thicke makes a hilarious cameo in Fuller House during the series' season two, which premiered last week.

The show is a re-make of the popular 80s sitcom Full House that starred actors Bob Saget, John Stamos and Dave Coulier along with child actresses Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber.

Thicke previously starred as Dr. Jason Seaver in Growing Pains, which aired from 1985 until 1992.

He played a psychiatrist raising his children along with his wife, played by Joanna Kerns. 

Seaver's oldest son, Mike, played by Kirk Cameron, was a constant source of trouble for the family.

His work in the show earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe for the best performance by an actor in a television series in 1988.

Thicke also appeared in an array of television shows, including The Outer Limits, Murder She Wrote, and Married with Children, according to IMDB.

His prolific career also included cameos in recent years on the comedy How I Met Your Mother, along with Fuller House.

Just hours before news broke of his death, he had tweeted on Tuesday about the Netflix Original series Fuller House (shown above), which he most recently appeared in

Thicke makes a hilarious cameo in Season 2 of Fuller House, pictured here on set with actress Candace Cameron Bure

Thicke was also a frequent pitchman for ads on Sirius.

The actor was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1947 and was a popular Canadian talk show host before making his name in the United States.

He was nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work in the late 1970s as a writer for Barry Manilow's talk show, and later for a satirical take on the genre in the variety show America 2-Night.

He was also a prolific composer of several popular theme songs, including the original theme to The Wheel of Fortune, and shows such as The Facts of Life, Diff'rent Strokes, The Wizard of Odds, The Joker's Wild and Celebrity Sweepstakes.

Thicke was also a popular host for television events, including the Emmy Awards.

Thicke (right) pictured with his son Carter and wife Tanya Callau last April. Thicke was reportedly playing hockey with Carter when he suffered a heart attack on Tuesday

Last year, Thicke tweeted this photo of him and his son playing hockey

On Tuesday, celebrities flooded social media to pay tribute to Thicke and his career.

'I'm sad beyond words that Alan Thicke has passed away,' Candace Cameron Bure wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photo of her and Thicke together in an episode of Fuller House.

'I've known you since I was 8 years old and so glad I had the pleasure of working with you again so recently on Fuller House. 

'You were a part of my family and hockey family. You will be greatly missed. ❤️ My heart hurts.'

'Alan Thicke was always the nicest and happiest person in the room. Gone way too soon. Rest In Peace,' actress Alyssa Milano tweeted. 

'America loved Alan Thicke. I'm so sad he's gone. Sending so much love to his family,' comedian Ellen DeGeneres said in a tweet. 

Meanwhile, actress Paula Patton, who was Thicke's daughter-in-law for many years and the mother of his grandson Julian, posted an inspirational poem by Mother Teresa to her Instagram Tuesday evening.

The actor was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1947 and was a popular Canadian talk show host before making his name in the United States 

Patton, who divorced Robin Thicke in 2015, simply captioned the text with a heart symbol.

Former CNN chat show host Larry King recalled Thicke as 'a wonderful talent, a wonderful man.'

Ryan Seacrest said Thicke had been 'a great friend' while Russell Simmmons declared via Twitter: 'The world has lost an icon.'

Canadian singer Anne Murray described herself as 'devastated' by Thicke's passing, adding that as well as being a friend, he had also written and produced many of her television specials over the years.

The National Hockey League also tweeted: 'The NHL family is sad to learn of the passing of longtime hockey fan Alan Thicke.'  

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said Thicke's death was not reported to them.

Thicke is survived by his wife, Tanya, and three sons, Robin, Brennan and Carter.

Thicke is the father of Grammy award nominated-singer Robin Thicke, who is known for R&B and pop hits including 'Blurred Lines' and 'Lost Without U.'

ELLEN DEGENERES JOINS ALYSSA MILANO, DEMI LOVATO AND BOB SAGET IN TRIBUTES TO ACTOR ALAN THICKE

Celebrities were quick to take to Twitter to express their sadness at the death of growing Pains star Alan Thicke on Tuesday.

The actor died following a heart attack. He was 69.

'Alan Thicke was always the nicest and happiest person in the room,' tweeted Charmed star Alyssa Milano. 'Gone way too soon. Rest In Peace.'

Thicke had recently made a guest appearance on Fuller House and Lori Loughlin, who reprised her role as beck from the original on the reboot, said she was 'so sad' to hear of the Canadian actor's death.

Fuller House star Bob Saget described Thicke as 'such a good husband, father, brother and friend.'

'He will be deeply missed,' Saget added. 

Full House and Fuller House's Candace Cameron Bure posted a photo of the two of them together on the Netflix series set.

She wrote: 'I'm sad beyond words that Alan Thicke has passed away. I've known you since I was 8 years old and so glad I had the pleasure of working with you again so recently on Fuller House.'

'You were a part of my family and hockey family. You will be greatly missed. ❤️ My heart hurts.' 

'So so sad to hear about the passing of #AlanThicke,' wrote actress Olivia Munn. 'Such a nice guy..... rest in love.'

'My thoughts and prayers are with his family,' singer Demi Lovato tweeted.

Meanwhile, actress Paula Patton, who was Thicke's daughter-in-law for many years and the mother of his grandson Julian, posted an inspirational poem by Mother Teresa to her Instagram Tuesday evening.

Patton, who divorced Robin Thicke in 2015, simply captioned the text with a heart symbol.

Former CNN chat show host Larry King recalled Thicke as 'a wonderful talent, a wonderful man.'

Ryan Seacrest said Thicke had been 'a great friend' while Russell Simmmons declared via Twitter: 'The world has lost an icon.'

Canadian singer Anne Murray described herself as 'devastated' by Thicke's passing , adding that as well as being a friend, he had also written and produced many of her television specials over the years.