On my way into work this morning I heard the news that iconic 80s actor Alan Thicke is dead at the age of 69 from an apparent heart attack while playing Hockey with his son. Of all places I heard this shocking news while listening to ESPN Radio's "Dan Le Batard Show". Alan was a frequent caller into the show and they played a few of his most memorable clips. I was almost in tears. Not only did we loose a great person & actor, but I felt like a piece of my childhood was gone also.
Anyone who grew up in the 80s will recognize Alan Thicke as Dr. Jason Seaver from the popular show "Growing Pains". I watched that show from the time it hit air in 1985. It was one of those shows that I felt like I grew up with it as the characters grew.
Aside from being a solid actor Alan Thicke wrote so many memorable theme songs including the theme from "The Facts of Life" and another one of my fave 80s sitcoms "Diff'rent Strokes"! What you talkin' bout, Willis!
As a Canadian he was a huge Hockey fan and got the chance to write the epic Tampa Bay Lightning fight song! Alan Thicke was inducted to the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2013.
Recently Alan Thicke had been seen in everything from the soap opera "The Bold & The Beautiful" to "How I Met Your Mother" to "Scream Queens". Just last night I watched an episode of "Fuller House" on Netflix where he played a blind date for DJ Tanner! This guy never slowed down!
He will be missed. I'm sure not only by me but by millions of fans. Now enjoy this lost tape of Alan Thicke performing "Santa Claus is coming to town" with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This is how I would like to remember him, as a fun loving guy who was down for anything. What are some of your favorite Alan Thicke memories?
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