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.' 

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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.

THE PROLIFIC CAREER OF ACTOR, COMPOSER AND FATHER ALAN THICKE

Alan Thicke pictured as he attended Day 3 of the 16th Annual Whistler Film Festival in Whistler, Canada on December 2 when he received the Icon Award

Thicke was a Canadian-born TV host, writer, composer and actor well-known in his homeland before making his name in the United States, most notably with the ABC series Growing Pains.

Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1947, Thicke 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 was also nominated for a Golden Globe 'Best Actor' award.  

During his career, Thicke composed several popular theme songs, including the original theme for Wheel of Fortune and other shows including The Facts of Life, The Joker's Wild and Diff'rent Strokes. 

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.

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.

Thicke went on to star as the beloved dad on Growing Pains, a long-running sitcom that aired from 1985 to 1992.

On that comedy, Thicke played Dr. Jason Seaver, a psychiatrist and father-knows-best who moved his practice into his home so his wife could go back to work as a reporter. 

Along with his clients, he had three (later four) kids under foot, including his oldest son, Mike, played by breakout heart-throb Kirk Cameron, who served as a constant source of comedic trouble for the family.

Thicke's 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.

In 2015, he appeared in Growing Pains: The Reunion, which was reportedly one of Disney's highest-rated TV movies.  

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

In the 1990s and beyond, Thicke stayed busy as a celebrity TV host and with guest shots on dozens of series, including How I Met Your Mother, Grandfathered Hope & Gloria, Just Shoot Me, Arliss, Son of the Beach, Seventh Heaventh, Scream Queens and, this year, the Netflix series Fuller House and the NBC drama This Is Us.

Thicke has also appeared in TV movies including Disney's Not Quite Human triology, The Calendar Girl Murders, Betrayal of the Dove and Crossroads.

As a sought-after emcee, some of the events Thicke has hosted include ABC's Olympic Kick-off Gala, ABC's Dinsey Christmas, Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss USA pageants and TV's Funniest Families.

Thicke is also the author of the books, Lovely Parting Gifts, How To Raise Kids Who Won't Hate You and How Men Have Babies – The Pregnant Father's Survival Guide.

In addition, Thicke has written sitcoms for networks including Warner Bros and Viacom, and he also produced Celebrity Sweepstakes, Wizard of Odds.

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.

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.'

'I grew up watching him and got to know him through Robin. He was always so kind to me,' John Legend posted on Twitter.

'You were a part of my family and hockey family. You will be greatly missed. My heart hurts,' Candace Cameron Bure tweeted.

'RIP dear friend and gentleman,' posted Marlee Matlin. 

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. 

William Shatner tweeted that he was saddened by his friend's loss, and singer Anne Murray's Twitter post said she was 'shocked and devastated,' recalling him as a friend as well as a writer and producer of many of her TV specials.

The Edmonton Oilers also weighed in.

'RIP to one of the great ones, Alan Thicke,' was posted on the hockey team's website, with a photo of a young Thicke and Wayne Gretzky on the ice.

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