Growing Pains star Alan Thicke, 69, dies suddenly after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey: Actor's pop singer son Robin leads tributes to the 'The greatest man' he ever met
- Alan Thicke died at the age of 69 on Tuesday in Los Angeles
- The Canadian-born actor was reportedly playing hockey with his son when he suffered a heart attack
- He was transported to hospital around noon where he was later pronounced dead
- He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and three sons, Robin, Brennan and Carter
- Grammy award nominated-singer Robin Thicke paid tribute to his dad by calling him the 'greatest man I ever met' and 'always a gentleman'
- Celebrities including Ellen Degeneres, William Shatner and Bob Saget also took to social media to express their sorrow at news of his death
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 on Tuesday.
His son, Grammy award nominated-singer Robin Thicke paid tribute to him on Tuesday evening, calling him the 'greatest man I ever met' and 'always a gentleman.'
Scroll down for video
Actor Alan Thicke has died age the of 69 after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday
Thicke (center) was known for his role as Jason Seaver, the likable father on the popular ABC television series Growing Pains
Last year, Thicke tweeted this photo of him and his Carter son playing hockey. The pair were believed to have been on the ice together when he suffered the heart attack
Robin Thicke told The Los Angeles Times his father was playing hockey with his brother, 19-year-old Carter, when he suffered a heart attack.
Alan Thicke and Carter had been at the Pickwick Ice skating rink in Burbank at the time.
Robin Thicke noted the last thing his father said was a compliment to Carter about a nice shot.
'I saw him a few days ago and told him how much I loved and respected him,' Thicke told the newspaper, adding that his father was an inspiration for his own musical career.
'The good thing was that he was beloved and he had closure.
Alan Thicke (left) pictured with his son, singer Robin Thicke last Tuesday. Thicke is a Grammy award nominated singer who is known for R&B and pop hits including 'Blurred Lines' and 'Lost Without U'
Carter Thicke paid tribute to his father in a post on Instagram, calling his dad his best friend and idol. He was believed to have been hockey with Alan when he suffered the heart attack
Carter Thicke also paid tribute to his father in a post on Instagram, writing that he had lost his best friend and idol.
'Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it's finest,' he wrote.
'I have never known a more kind, loving, hairy, and generous person in my life and I am forever grateful for the light that this man brought to my life and so many others.
'You will be missed every second of every day. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time.'
Alan Thicke's spokeswoman Monique Moss had confirmed 'Alan's sudden passing' in a brief email on Tuesday evening, adding 'at present, we have no further details.'
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 TMZ.
Alan Thicke's hockey manager, JP Lagloire, from the Pickwick Ice Rink holds up a roster for the final game that Alan was playing in when he died
The roster sheet includes the names Alan Thicke and his son Carter Thicke on it (shown above)
Thicke was playing ice hockey with his son at Pickwick Ice skating rink (shown above) in Burbank when he died
Just hours before news broke of his death, Thicke had tweeted about the Netflix Original series Fuller House, which he most recently appeared in.
He wrote, in 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 90s 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.
Earlier this month, Thicke received the Canadian Icon Award during the Whistler Film Festival.
On Tuesday, Thicke tweeted acknowledging he was a recipient of the award.
Thicke (pictured in April of last year) 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
Thicke pictured with his wife Tanya in August. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and three sons, Robin, Brennan and Carter
'Thanks to Whistler Film Fest for the Icon Award. I promise to try and stay iconic,' he tweeted.
Last Thursday, in what is believed to be his last radio interview, Thicke was a guest on ESPN radio program The Dan Le Batard Show.
During the radio show, he sounded alert and jovial, and cracked several jokes with the hosts.
He talked about his son Robin Thicke who he said had several new singles coming out, calling him a 'unique' artist.
Previously, Thicke starred as Dr. Jason Seaver in Growing Pains, which aired from 1985 until 1992.
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
On Saturday, Alan Thicke thanked fans for their kind words about his cameo on Fuller House
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 other television shows, including The Outer Limits, Murder She Wrote, and Married with Children, according to IMDB.
Thicke is pictured as a guest star on the comedy Grandfathered with actor John Stamos
In the 1990s and beyond, his prolific career also included cameos in recent years on the comedy How I Met Your Mother, This Is Us, Grandfathered along with Fuller House.
Thicke was also a frequent pitchman for ads on Sirius.
Born in Ontario, Canada in 1947, Thicke 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.
Alan Thicke, pictured with his sons Brennan Thicke and Robin Thicke and actress Joanna Kerns attending in 1990
Thicke's prolific career included appearances in an array of television shows, including The Outer Limits, Murder She Wrote, and Married with Children, according to IMDB
Thicke 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.
Perhaps his boldest assault on the U.S. market was as a virtual unknown taking on the King of Late Night, Johnny Carson.
Thicke of the Night was a syndicated talk-music-and-comedy show meant to go head-to-head against NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
A young Alan Thicke before he was famous pictured in a photo from high school
It premiered in September 1983 with great fanfare, boasting an innovative format and regulars including Richard Belzer, Arsenio Hall, Gilbert Gottfried and Fred Willard.
But all too quickly, it was evident that Carson wasn't going to be dethroned, and the ambitious 'Thicke' disappeared into the night after one season.
He was also a popular host for television events, including the Emmy Awards.
Like any good Canadian, Thicke was a hockey fan, frequently attending LA Kings games.
He took credit for introducing the sport to some celebrities.
He began playing at age five, but acknowledged he wasn't very good at it.
'You were expected to play,' he said in 1998.
'I was never good enough for the big time, but I always had fun at it.'
In 2003, Thicke received 30 stitches and lost five teeth after he was struck by a puck while practicing for a celebrity fundraising hockey game.
'I won't be playing any leading men roles in the next couple of months,' he joked after the accident.
He had the satisfaction of seeing his musical skills passed down to son Robin, a successful singer-songwriter and producer who, with brother Brennan, were born to Thicke and the first of his three wives, Gloria Loring.
Thicke pictured with his third wife Tanya Callau. He had been married to Callau since 2005
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
Thicke (left) and his son Carter attend a hockey game together in California in 2007
In an email, Loring described Thicke's passing as 'a shock. We were all just together for Thanksgiving. He was funny, talented and deeply devoted to his family.'
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 and wife Tanya Callau attend an ice hockey game together in New York in 2015
Thicke (pictured playing hockey in 2002) was a hockey fan, frequently attending LA Kings games. He took credit for introducing the sport to some celebrities
'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.
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.'
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
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, who is his son from his marriage to second wife Gina Tolleson.
He had been married to Tanya Callau since 2005.
Most watched News videos
- Caught on camera: Checkout line fight erupts over couponing
- Drag race ends in Lamborghini crashing into other cars
- Angry motorist challenges traffic warden over 'illegal parking'
- Couponing mom attacked inside store for holding up the line
- Amir Khan's wife Faryal Makhdoom snapchats an 'apology'
- Real-life Amazon Drone delivery begin trials with no human pilot
- Faryal Makhdoom shares glam videos on Instagram
- Huge 7 stone dog has adorable bark that sounds like hiccup
- Poor cat has it's head pushed into the snow by cheeky dog!
- 'Scumbag unions': Chants outside Brighton rail station
- Trump meets with tech giants: 'I'm here to help you folks do well'
- Cute Christmas kitty is very protective of his festive gifts
- EXCLUSIVE: Ex-British ambassador who is now a WikiLeaks...
- Moment an extreme couponer is attacked by a furious customer...
- IBM to hire 25,000 more workers in the US in the next four...
- Growing Pains star Alan Thicke, 69, dies suddenly after...
- 'Take a shot kiddo': Alan Thicke's last words as he was...
- Female German minister REFUSES to wear a hijab during visit...
- Trump teases tech titans: 'Right now everybody in this room...
- Shocking bodycam video shows car theft suspect shooting two...
- 'Oh baby...you're with your boyfriend!' Glamorous Russian...
- 'HBO can shove it where the sun doesn't shine': Father's...
- 'I really don’t give a s*** about what happens to Huma':...
- EXCLUSIVE: Amber Heard slams Johnny Depp in court after he...