Growing Pains Cast Reactions to Alan Thicke's Death

Kirk Cameron

The actor, who played Alan's onscreen son on Growing Pains, shared a beautiful message about his costar on Instagram, writing, "I spent Monday through Friday for seven important years with Alan Thicke as my 'TV dad.' 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.'"

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Leonardo DiCaprio

The award-winning actor appeared in the final season of Growing Pains alongside Thicke as Luke Bower, an 18-year-old homeless teen taken in by the Seaver family.

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Tracey Gold

Image Source: Getty / Tibrina Hobson

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Gold said she was "honored to have been his daughter for seven beautiful years." Like her onscreen brother, the news hit her hard. "I am in absolute shock and so unbelievably sad. In 1985, the Seavers became a family and Alan was our patriarch. I looked up to Alan and admired him greatly. I always listened to his advice and wisdom. He was so kind and warm and always made me laugh. He was incredibly proud that our Growing Pains days were about family, all our families."

Like many other stars have noted, Gold also made sure to highlight what an incredible dad Thicke was to his real-life sons. "He was truly an amazing father. His sons were his world. Our Growing Pains family is hurting today and that will not go away anytime soon. He was so full of life. I thought we had so much time. I’m not ready to say goodbye. I am so honored to have been his daughter for seven beautiful years. I love you Alan and will miss you forever."

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Joanna Kerns

Image Source: Everett Collection

Joanna Kerns spoke to Too Fab about the passing of her longtime costar. "I loved Al. I called him Al because it really bugged him," she began. "He thought it sounded like an old man's name. He hated it, but the cast loved it and unfortunately for him, it stuck. Alan loved everything youthful: women, sports, music and above all, his beautiful and talented sons, Brennan, Robin and Carter. Alan was a true and loyal friend."

"I am devastated by Alan's passing and will be for some time," she continued. "I used to joke, before I met my real husband, Marc, that Alan was my favorite daytime husband. At work we laughed all day, everyday at things Alan would come up with, usually at my expense. It was fun. Alan was fun and we all loved teasing each other. Alan kept me calm and when I'd start to get upset about something silly, he would set things straight, give me a big hug and very gently say, 'Maggie . . . don't be an assh*le.' There was a sweetness and kindness to his humor. No one could make fun of Alan better than Alan. As an actor, that is a gift, and I truly believe he was underrated."

Kerns further opened up about Thicke's passing in a touching essay for Entertainment Weekly, where she described him as "handsome, cocky and fiercely intelligent." She also touched on the first time they met, and how he was always in her corner throughout their friendship:

"Alan was my biggest supporter, and we truly loved and trusted each other. When I wanted to move from acting to directing, I asked his advice because he was a major writer-producer, the Emmy-nominated star of a Canadian talk show. And without a second thought, he said, 'Well, you're old . . . but you'd make a great director. You're opinionated, stubborn, strong, and you love telling everyone what to do.' Then he smiled. That was Alan. He was snarky but direct."

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