Alan Thicke, star of ‘80s family sitcom Growing Pains, has died, according toTMZ. Thicke’s publicist later confirmed the star’s passing to ABC News.
The 69-year-old actor was reported to have suffered a heart attack while playing hockey with his 19-year-old son Carter on Tuesday. TMZ reported Thicke and his son were at a rink in Burbank, California, where they were regulars, at about 11 a.m. when Thicke came down with chest pain before becoming nauseous and vomiting. At about 11:30 an ambulance took Thicke to Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank. Thicke was declared dead at the hospital.
Thicke’s organs would be donated, a law enforcement source told TMZ, saying a company that recovers organs was contacted.
Thicke’s survived by three sons including the previously mentioned Carter as well as Brennan and singer Robin Thicke. Robin posted this message on Instagram early Wednesday morning:
Thicke is also survived by his wife Tanya.
Some Twitter users were in disbelief of the news after seeing Thicke had sent out a tweet about his cameo on Fuller House today hours after his reported death. The tweet is believed to have been scheduled and remains up at this point in time.
Season 2 Fuller House looking good. I even like the ones I’m not in! #fullerhouse @fullhouseguy @bobsaget @candacecbure #netflix
Thicke’s most recent projects included a role on the second season of Netflix's Fuller House reboot and reoccurring appearances on How I Met Your Mother. He starred on Growing Pains for seven seasons in addition to being a game show host, talk show host, and composing the theme songs for sitcoms Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life.
