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."
