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Remembering Alan Thicke: A Look Back At The ‘Growing Pains’ Star’s Best Work

By Bernadette Giacomazzo
Published on: 01:33 PST, Dec 14, 2016

2016 is shaping up to be one of the worst years on record, as yet another legendary celebrity is claimed.

And as we begin remembering Alan Thicke — who died, yesterday, at the age of 69 — we have to take a look back and remember some of his best work, which, incidentally, goes beyond Growing Pains.

One of the first things we have to note, in remembering Alan Thicke, is that he was still working well into his later years. According to the New York Times, Thicke had guest roles on Fuller House (which, actually, was the subject of his last Tweet) and the hit NBC show This is Us.

Thicke’s fellow cast members from both Fuller House and This is Us took to Twitter to express their sorrow at his untimely passing.

Other outlets, in remembering Alan Thicke, recalled his work in other mediums besides acting. While many people know the musical showmanship of his son, Robin, Alan Thicke’s first “big break” in show business was as a theme song writer, according to CNN.

Just after he finished his stint as a writer for the short-lived comedy talk show Fernwood 2-Night (a show ahead of its time, as it was, essentially, The Daily Show), Thicke wrote the theme songs for Wheel of Fortune, The Facts of Life, and Diff’rent Strokes.

In addition to being a songwriter, he hosted a talk show in his native Canada called The Alan Thicke Show. His extensive work in his native Canada made him the recipient of the “Canadian Icon Award.”

Most of all, like most Canadians, he loved hockey, and frequently expressed his love for the sport, as well as his support of some of their better-known teams. This consistent support of hockey was so widely known, in fact, that the NHL’s official Twitter released a statement regarding his passing when the news first hit.

Entertainment Weekly took a different approach to remembering Alan Thicke: they talked to his son, Robin, a star in his own right who also had fond memories of his beloved father.

Calling him the “best friend I ever had,” Robin shared some extremely personal memories of his father with the publication.

“My father passed away today. He was the best man I ever knew. The best friend I ever had. Let’s all rejoice and celebrate the joy he brought to every room he was in. We love you, Alan Thicke. Thank you for your love. Love, your grateful son.”

Alan’s other son, Carter, also expressed his sorrow about his father’s passing. Alan was playing hockey with Carter when he suffered the heart attack that would, eventually, claim his life.

“Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it’s finest. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in remembering Alan Thicke.

Leave your thoughts about Alan Thicke, and how you’re remembering Alan Thicke, in the comments below.

[Featured Image by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Rock and Reilly’s]

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