Alan Thicke, veteran actor probably best now known as the dad on "Growing Pains," died Tuesday, reportedly of a heart attack while playing hockey with his son. He was 69.
Thicke suffered a heart attack around noon Tuesday while playing hockey with his 19-year-old son, Carter, and was rushed to a hospital near the Burbank, Calif., skating rink, where he was pronounced dead, TMZ reported.
His ex-wife, singer and actress Gloria Loring, confirmed the death on her Facebook page.
"It is a shock," she wrote. "We were all just together for Thanksgiving. He was talented, funny and deeply devoted to his family. Rest in Peace, dear one."
Thicke is survived by Carter and two other sons, R&B and pop superstar Robin and Brennan, and wife Tanya.
According to TMZ, Thicke and his son had been on the ice at 11 a.m., but the 69-year-old complained of chest pains about a half-hour later.
The Canadian-born star was best known for his role as Jason Seaver on TV sitcom "Growing Pains."
He began his career as a music composer and producer before making a name for himself as a talk show host in Canada from 1980 to 1983, starring on "The Alan Thicke Show."
Thicke, who received his first Emmy nomination for "The Barry Manilow Special" in 1977, went on to host popular shows in the '90s such as "Pictionary" and "Three's a Crowd."
He also starred in films "The Growing Pains Movie" and "Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers."