Another One Goes: Alan Thicke Dead at 69
Alan Thicke, who rose to prominence as the father on Growing Pains (and the father of singer Robin Thicke), died of a heart attack while playing hockey yesterday. He was 69.
Thicke was one of those Canadians–he was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario–who, after getting his broadcasting start at CFPL in London, Ontario–managed to find amazing success in America. Not only was he an actor, but he also made a TON of money by writing TV theme songs. He wrote at least ten, but here are his greatest hits.
He wrote the Growing Pains theme.
That Facts of Life theme you can’t get out of your head? That’s Thicke.
And he also was responsible for the original Wheel of Fortune theme which ran until creator Merv Griffin substitute his own composition.
Thicke also briefly hosted his own late-night TV show. It was here that a new band called the Red Hot Chili Peppers made their first TV appearance.
Goddammit, 2016.
