'I am so blessed to have grown up with him': Growing Pains stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kirk Cameron lead tributes to Alan Thicke

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Celebrities were quick to take to social media 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.

Kirk Cameron - who played his son on the late Eighties, early Nineties sitcom - led the tributes as he posted an old still of the two of them together.

The 46-year-old actor wrote: 'I spent Monday through Friday for seven important years with Alan Thicke as my "TV dad." 

Touching: Kirk Cameron, who played the son of Alan Thicke on Growing Pains, led the touching tributes to to Veteran actor after news of his passing on Tuesday night

'I'm shocked and truly heartbroken today at the news of his death. Alan was a generous, kind and loving man. I am so blessed to have grown up with him. 

'Chelsea and I send our love and prayers to his family tonight. We will cherish the memories... "sharing the laughter and love."'

As one of Leonardo DiCaprio's first roles was on Growing Pains, he took to his personal Facebook to share a few kind words about the veteran actor as he wrote: 'Alan was a devoted father, husband, friend and role model. 

Hasn't forgotten his roots: Leonardo DiCaprio also shared his thoughts on his personal Facebook page

Altogether now: Leonardo Dicaprio, Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold and Jeremy Miller - pictured from  left to right - starred in the late Eighties early Nineties sitcom

'He knew how to harness the power of the entertainment industry to be a positive influence in so many lives - including mine. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I had to work with Alan early in my career. 

'He had tremendous class, a huge heart, and he taught me and so many others the valuable lessons about humility and gratitude. I've seen him a number of times over the years and when Alan Thicke walked in the room, quite frankly, no one was cooler. I miss him already - my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Thicke family during this difficult time.'

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

Grief: Ellen Degeneres tweeted her sadness at his passing and saying: 'America loved Alan Thicke'

R.I.P.: Thicke, pictured in LA in August, died after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey with his youngest son. He was 69

Fond memories: Charmed star Alyssa Milano remembered the Canadian actor as 'always the nicest and happiest person in the room'

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.

 

Thicke had guest starred on the Fuller House reboot and the Netflix series stars including Bob Saget abnd Lori Loughlin were quick to express their sorrow

Full House and Fuller House star Candace Cameron Bure shared this photo of herself with Thicke on the set of the Netflix series along with a heartfelt message

'We'll miss you': Fuller House's John Stamos also shared a pic of himself with the late star, calling him 'charming, funny and sweet' with a 'self deprecating sense of humor'

Thicke had been playing hockey with his 19-year-old son Carter when he collapsed and was ruched to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. 

He is also survived by sons Robin, 39, and Brennan, 41, and his third wife Tanya.

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.'

Singers LeAnn Rimes and Demi Lovato and actress Olivia Munn also paid tribute

'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. 

Paula Patton, former daughter-in-law and mother of his grandson Julian, shared this poem from Mother teresa on her Instagram Tuesday evening along 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.

'A wonderful talent': Former CNN talk show host Larry King, TV personality Howie Mandel and  Keeping Up With The Kardashians executive producer Ryan Seacrest chimed in on Twitter too

Canadian singer Anne Murray said she was 'shocked and devastated' to hear of Thicke's death while Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons tweeted that the world 'has lost an icon'

Ben Stiller, in tweeting a tribute to Thicke, revealed that his first job in Los Angeles had been as an intern for the late star.

Stiller, son of comedian Jerry Stiller and actress Anne Meara, described Thicke as being 'a very nice boss.'

'Sending good thoughts to his family,' he wrote.

Singer and songwriter John Legend also took to Twitter to express his sadness.

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

Robin himself broke his silence late Tuesday night to pay tribute to his father even as he dealt with his personal grief.

Speaking to the LA Times, he said his father was 'the greatest man I ever met' and 'always a gentleman.' 

The Blurred Lines hitmaker added: 'I saw him a few days ago and told him how much I loved and respected him.'

Thicke's youngest son Carter, with whom he was on the ice at a Burbank rink when he suffered his heart attack, shared a photo of the two of them together to his Instagram.

'Today I lost my best friend and my idol,' the teen wrote. 'You are a legend and I love you Pops.' 

Gloria Loring, Thicke's first wife and the mother of his sons Robin and Brennan, tweeted her thanks to all those who had reached out to her after hearing of her former husband's death.

The singer and actress, who was divorced from Thicke in 1983, said his death had come as 'a shock.'

'We were all just together for Thanksgiving. He was talented, funny and deeply devoted to his family.' 

Thicke's first wife Gloria Loring paid tribute to the star with whom she shares sons Robin and Brennan. The couple divorced in 1983

Gloria, now 70, married Thicke in 1970 and their marriage lasted 13 years. They're pictured in 1986 in Los Angeles

Just a couple of days ago, Thicke's widow Tanya shared this selfie of the two of them in a car driving home from a party, calling her husband 'the cutest designated driver EVER!!!!'