Kirk Cameron Pays Tribute to TV Dad Alan Thicke With ‘Growing Pains’ Reference
“I’m shocked and truly heartbroken,” actor who played Mike Seaver on hit ’80s sitcom says
Joe Otterson | December 14, 2016 @ 7:07 AM
Last Updated: December 14, 2016 @ 7:11 AM
"Growing Pains"
Kirk Cameron paid his respects to Alan Thicke with an emotional statement on the time they spent working together.
“I spent Monday through Friday for seven important years with Alan Thicke as my ‘TV dad,'” Cameron wrote on Instagram late 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.'”
“Sharing the laughter and love” of course comes from the “Growing Pains” theme song, the family sitcom on which Cameron and Thicke co-starred. Cameron also included a photo of himself and Thicke on set (below).
Thicke died of a heart attack Tuesday afternoon while playing hockey with his son, Carter. He was 69. A prolific songwriter, Thicke also wrote the theme songs to shows like “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Facts of Life.”
Most recently, Thicke played himself on an episode of NBC’s “This Is Us” and also appeared on an episode of “Fuller House.” Other recent roles included guest spots on shows including “Scream Queens,” “American Dad” and “The Eric Andre Show.”
A photo posted by Kirk Cameron (@kirkcameronofficial) on
RIP Alan Thicke: Where Is Rest of 'Growing Pains' Cast Now? (Photos)
To anyone who came of age in the late '80s, ABC's family sitcom "Growing Pains" was a touchstone. The sitcom's patriarch, Alan Thicke, died suddenly Tuesday at age 69. Here's a look at where other cast members are today.
Ashley Johnson (Chrissy Seaver) Johnson started on "Growing Pains" when she was six. She's gone on to a busy acting career ("The Avengers") and stars on NBC's "Blindspot."
Jeremy Miller (Ben Seaver) In recent years, Miller has mostly retired from acting and talked openly about his alcoholism and treatment issues.
Joanna Kerns (Maggie Malone Seaver) After leaving "Growing Pains," Kerns turned to directing and has directed a number of episodes of series including "Pitch," "Pretty Little Liars" and "Grey's Anatomy."
Leonardo DiCaprio (Luke Brower) You may have heard that he's gone on to a successful movie career, winning the Oscar for "The Revenant" and acclaim for leading roles in "Titanic," "The Wolf of Wall Street," "The Departed," "The Great Gatsby" and more.
Tracey Gold (Carol Seaver) Gold, who battled anorexia during her years on the show, recovered and has appeared on reality shows, including "Celebrity Wife Swap."
Kirk Cameron (Mike Seaver) Cameron became a born-again Christian as a teenager and now runs an evangelical ministry, The Way of the Master.
Andrew Koenig (Richard "Boner" Stabone) The son of "Star Trek" actor Walter Koenig, the actor who played Kirk Cameron's best friend, Boner, committed suicide in 2010.
Alan Thicke (Dr. Jason Seaver) Thicke, who was also a very successful songwriter, died on December 13, 2016, at age 69.
Feeling nostalgic? Old episodes of "Growing Pains" are on Amazon and iTunes.
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Beloved family patriarch Alan Thicke died on Tuesday at age 69
To anyone who came of age in the late '80s, ABC's family sitcom "Growing Pains" was a touchstone. The sitcom's patriarch, Alan Thicke, died suddenly Tuesday at age 69. Here's a look at where other cast members are today.
