Actor Alan Thicke dies at age 69

Entertainer Alan Thicke, best known for playing a TV dad on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains, died Tuesday. He was 69. Thicke not only had a successful TV acting career but also flourished as a writer and composer. He wrote several popular theme songs, including the original theme for The Wheel of Fortune, The Facts of Life, and Diff’rent Strokes. On Growing Pains, he played a dependable, compassionate father who ran a medical practice out of his home and fostered close relationships with his children. “I’m shocked and truly heartbroken today at the news of his death,” said actor Kirk Cameron, who played Thicke’s son on the show. “Alan was a generous, kind and loving man. I am so blessed to have grown up with him.” Thicke passed on his love of music to his son, pop star Robin Thicke. He is survived by another son, Carter, and his wife, Tanya Callau.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.