Alan Thicke Dies While Playing Hockey

BURBANK, CA — Actor Alan Thicke, best known for his role in the ABC family comedy "Growing Pains," died unexpectedly Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. Thicke was 69 years old.

As first reported by TMZ, Thicke was playing ice hockey with his 19-year-old son in Burbank when he suffered the heart attack. According to his publicist Monique Moss, Thicke was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

As Jason Seaver on "Growing Pains," Thicke epitomized the role of the '80s sitcom dad as the infinitely patient psychologist and patriarch of the boisterous Seaver family.

While best known for his roles in the '80s and '90s, he continued to work until his death. Most recently he was starring in "Unusually Thicke" with his son Carter and wife Tanya on the cable network Pop. Described as a "reality sitcom," its second season began Sept. 21.

Thicke recently made a cameo appearance as himself in the premiere of the critically acclaimed NBC drama "This Is Us."

Thicke was also a composer. He wrote the themes for the comedies "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life" and such game shows as "The Wizard of Odds" and "The Joker's Wild."

Several entertainment and sports figures took to Twitter to share their condolences.

"America loved Alan Thicke," talk show host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted. "I'm so sad he's gone. Sending so much love to his family."

Fellow Canadian actor Jason Priestley tweeted "Shocked and sad to hear about the passing of my old friend @Alan_Thicke. He was one of the good guys in Hollywood. We'll miss u on the ice!"

"Fuller House" star Candace Cameron Bure tweeted "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."'

Cameron Bure's brother Kirk played Thicke's son Mike on "Growing Pains."

Los Angeles Kings President, Business Operations Luc Robitaille tweeted "Alan was a great friend to my wife Stacia and I, a friend to the entire Kings organization, as well as a friend to so many in the hockey world. He will be deeply missed by so, so many."

He is survived by his wife Tanya Callau and his three sons, famed singer Robin Thicke, Brennan Thicke and Carter Thicke.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE REFRESH THE SCREEN FOR UPDATES

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Toglenn via Wikimedia Commons