Alan Ticke obit

Alan Thicke dead at 69

He was not on the list.

Alan Thicke, the beloved TV actor who epitomized the role of the sitcom dad, died Tuesday at age 69, his agent told CNN.

"Today the world lost an amazing talent," said Tracy Mapes with Imperium 7 Talent Agency. She did not provide details regarding the cause of death.

Thicke's ex-wife, singer and actress Gloria Loring, confirmed his death in a statement on Facebook.

"It is a shock. We were all just together for Thanksgiving. He was talented, funny and deeply devoted to his family," she said. "Rest In Peace, dear one."

Thicke's career spanned five decades -- one in which he played various roles on and off screen, from actor to writer to composer to author.

But he will be remembered most for his role on "Growing Pains," the hit sitcom featuring his character of Jason Seaver. In the role, Thicke portrayed a corny and collected TV dad who offered wholesome life advice to his family during the 1980s.

The sitcom launched the careers of Thicke and the actor who played his son, Kirk Cameron. As Jason Seaver, a psychiatrist who worked from home, he perfected the role of concerned and caring dad, always quick with advice and reassurance, often in the form of cheesy zingers.

As news of his death spread, fans of a certain age mourned the loss of a father figure, recalling lyrics from show's theme song: "Don't waste another minute on your crying."

Thicke went on to appear in numerous television shows and films, often appearing as himself on such series as "How I Met Your Mother." He recently appeared on Netflix's "Fuller House," a reboot of another 1980s sitcom, featuring Bob Saget and Kirk Cameron's real-life sister, Candace Cameron Bure. Some of the last tweets on Thicke's Twitter account referenced the show.

News of his death brought tributes from colleagues, including "Fuller House" co-star Saget and producer Jeff Franklin.

"So sad is the passing of Alan Thicke. Such a good husband, father, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace dear Alan," Saget said on Twitter.

So sad is the passing of Alan Thicke. Such a good husband, father, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace dear Alan.

— bob saget (@bobsaget) December 14, 2016

A few weeks ago with my great, lovely friend for 35 years, the hilarious Alan Thicke. Will miss you dearly.

Thicke was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1947. He began his career in Canadian television before moving behind the scenes in American television.

In the 1970s he wrote for "Fernwood 2-Night," a short-lived satirical talk show that later became "America 2-Night," and "The Richard Pryor Show." He composed the theme songs for the game show "Wheel of Fortune" and sitcoms "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts Of Life."

He helmed a Canadian talk show, "The Alan Thicke Show," in the early 1980s but he failed to replicate that success with American audiences on "Thicke of the Night."

However, he continued to remain popular in Canada, recently earning a "Canadian Icon Award" to honor his influence outside his native country. It wasn't just his acting he brought to the US, it was his love of hockey, so much so that celebrities and pro hockey clubs alike noted his obsession with the sport alongside their expressions of condolence.

The NHL family is sad to learn of the passing of longtime hockey fan Alan Thicke. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

— NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2016

At the low point of his career, he landed his most memorable role in "Growing Pains."

The role was his saving grace after the failure of "Thicke of the Night," he told CNN's Larry King in 2006, when the cast reunited for a television special. If not for the role he may have been driving the Zamboni for the Los Angeles Kings hockey team that year, he said. (Even if he was joking, his love and loyalty for the sport of his homeland was well documented.)

"Loved it. Proud of it. Proud of what it stood for. I share the corny family values espoused on that show," he said in a 2010 interview with A.V. Club. "It was a great opportunity that made my life good and something that I can show to my 12-year-old now in reruns. Corny and dated as it is, it's still relatable, understandable, and he can look at it and say 'Yeah, I get it. Now I see what you did before I was born.' "

"So if that's what goes on my tombstone, I'm perfectly comfortable with it."

He is survived by his sons Brennan, Carter and "Blurred Lines" singer Robin, as well as wife Tanya.

In the wake of Alan's death, Carter remembered his dad, not as the television father, but as a "best friend and my idol"

Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it's finest. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time.

— Carter Thicke (@CarterThicke) December 14, 2016

"The world lost one of it's finest," Carter tweeted. "You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time."

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role

1971 The Point! Narrator/Father (voice; third telecast)

1983 Copper Mountain Jackson Reach

1984 Calendar Girl Murders Alan Conti

1987 Not Quite Human Dr. Jonas Carson

1990 Not Quite Human II Dr. Jonas Carson

1991 And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird Matthew Carson / Newman (voice)

1992 Still Not Quite Human Dr. Jonas Carson / Bonus

1993 Betrayal of the Dove Jack West

Stepmonster George Dougherty

1995 Open Season Xanex

1996 Demolition High Slater

1998 Anarchy TV Reverend Wright

2000 Bear with Me Ken Robinson

2001 Xin shi zi jie tou (X-Roads) Steve

2003 Hollywood North Peter Casey

Carolina Chuck McBride – Perfect Date Host

2004 Raising Helen Hockey Cantor

Childstar J.R.

2006 The Surfer King Pipeman

Alpha Dog Douglas Holden

2009 The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Stu Harding

RoboDoc Dr. Roskin

2010 Making a Scene The Producer

2017 It's Not My Fault and I Don't Care Anyway Patrick Spencer

The Clapper Himself

Television

Series

Television movies

Year Title Role

1971 The Point! Narrator/Father (voice; third telecast)

1983 Copper Mountain Jackson Reach

1984 Calendar Girl Murders Alan Conti

1987 Not Quite Human Dr. Jonas Carson

1990 Not Quite Human II Dr. Jonas Carson

1991 And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird Matthew Carson / Newman (voice)

1992 Still Not Quite Human Dr. Jonas Carson / Bonus

1993 Betrayal of the Dove Jack West

Stepmonster George Dougherty

1995 Open Season Xanex

1996 Demolition High Slater

1998 Anarchy TV Reverend Wright

2000 Bear with Me Ken Robinson

2001 Xin shi zi jie tou (X-Roads) Steve

2003 Hollywood North Peter Casey

Carolina Chuck McBride – Perfect Date Host

2004 Raising Helen Hockey Cantor

Childstar J.R.

2006 The Surfer King Pipeman

Alpha Dog Douglas Holden

2009 The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Stu Harding

RoboDoc Dr. Roskin

2010 Making a Scene The Producer

2017 It's Not My Fault and I Don't Care Anyway Patrick Spencer

The Clapper Himself Year Title Role Notes

1969 It's Our Stuff

Regular

1974 Jack: A Flash Fantasy Jack of Diamonds

1978 America 2-Night Doug Episode: "I Am Democracy"

1980–1982 The Alan Thicke Show Himself/Host Also writer and producer

1983–1984 Thicke of the Night Himself/Host Also writer and executive producer

1984 Masquerade

Episode: "Sleeper"

The Love Boat Alan Price / Robert McBride / Senator Bob Townsend 3 episodes

1985 Scene of the Crime Craig Spears Episode: "A Vote for Murder"

1985–1992 Growing Pains Jason Seaver

1990 The Hitchhiker Mickey Black Episode: "Tough Guys Don't Whine"

1992 Travelquest Host

1993 Murder, She Wrote Harrison M. Kane Episode: "The Phantom Killer"

1994 Burke's Law

Episode: "Who Killed the Beauty Queen?"

1995 Minor Adjustments Roger Episode: "The Ex-Files"

Hope & Gloria Dennis Dupree

1996–1997 Married... with Children Bruce / Henry 3 episodes

1997 The Outer Limits Donald Rivers Episode: "A Special Edition"

Pictionary Host

1999 Arliss Doctor Episode: "Rules of the Game"

2000 Beggars and Choosers

Episode: "The Woodhouse Conundrum"

Son of the Beach Captain 'Buck' Enteneille / Captain Buck Enteneille 3 episodes

2001 7th Heaven Ed Palmer Episode: "Parents"

2001-2004 Animal Miracles Himself/Host

2002 Just Shoot Me! Himself Episode: "The Boys in the Band"

2003 EGG, the Arts Show Alan Scott Episode: "Broadway Workshop"

2004 My Wife and Kids Magician Episode: "Fantasy Camp: Part 2"

2005 Yes, Dear Joel Episode: "The New Neighbors"

Half & Half Gavin Storm Episode: "The Big Mothers for Others Episode"

Joey Himself Episode: "Joey and the Poker"

2006–2009 The Bold and the Beautiful Rich Ginger 7 episodes

2007 Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide Hal E. Burton Episode: "Spring Fever & the School Newspaper"

2008 About a Girl Dude's Dad Episode: "About a Homecoming"

JPod Jim Jarlewski 13 episodes

2008–2013 How I Met Your Mother Himself 5 episodes

2010 Canada's Worst Handyman 5 Himself

Tosh.0 Himself Episode: "Crystal Light Dancers (Reunion)"

2011 I'm in the Band Simon Craig 5 episodes

This Hour Has 22 Minutes Himself

2012 The L.A. Complex Donald Gallagher 4 episodes

2013 Celebrity Wife Swap Himself Season 2, episode 3

2014 Unusually Thicke Himself Reality show; 14 episodes

American Dad! Himself Episode: "Permanent Record Wrecker"

2015 Scream Queens Tad Radwell Episode: "Thanksgiving"

The Jack and Triumph Show Himself Episode: "Commercial"

2016 Grandfathered Himself Episode: "Jimmy's 50th, Again"

Mike Tyson Mysteries Walter Morgan Episode: "Unholy Matrimony"

This is Us Himself Episode: "Pilot"

The Eric Andre Show David Alan Thicke (with David Alan Grier) / Himself Season 4, Episode 9

Fuller House Mike Episode: "Mom Interference"

The Stanley Dynamic Himself Episode: "The Stanley Band"

2017 Chopped Himself (contestant) Season 33; 5 epi. "Star Power" tournament 

 

Television movies

Year Title Role

1986 Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star Steve Carr

1987 Obsessed Conrad Vaughan

Not Quite Human Dr. Jonas Carson

1988 14 Going on 30 The real Forndexter

Dance 'til Dawn Jack Lefcourt

1989 Not Quite Human II Dr. Jonas Carson

1990 Jury Duty: The Comedy Phil Beckman

1992 The Trial of Red Riding Hood The Wolf

Still Not Quite Human Dr. Jonas Carson/Bonus Carson

1993 Rubdown[61] Raymond Holliman

1994 Lamb Chop and the Haunted Studio Alan

1995 Lamb Chop's Special Chanukah Alan

1996 Windsor Protocol Senator Joplin Hardy

Lamb Chop's Chanukah and Passover Surprise Alan

The Secret She Carried Reed Epperson (uncredited)

1997 Shadow of the Bear William Andrich

Any Place But Home August Danforth

1998 Thunder Point Joplin Hardy

Casper Meets Wendy Baseball Announcer

1999 Two of Hearts Hank Powers

2000 Ice Angel Coach Parker

The Growing Pains Movie Jason Seaver

2004 Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers Jason Seaver

2013 Camp Sunshine Ken Handcourt

Bad Management Tobias Sr.

Let It Snow Ted Beck

2014 A Cookie Cutter Christmas Chef Kruger

2016 Stop the Wedding Sean Castleberry

2017 Loves Last Resort Paul Roberts