Long Time LA Kings Fan and Actor Alan Thicke Passes Away at 69
- Updated: December 14, 2016
One unique element of the Los Angeles Kings’ fan base, is all the celebrities. Some of them, don’t follow the Kings or the sport of Hockey, they are just at a random game at the Forum or Staples Center for something to do. Other celebrities, such as actress Alyssa Milano (Who’s the Boss?, Charmed), Matthew Perry (Friends), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Colin Hanks (Orange County, Fargo) and his Academy Award winning father Tom Hanks, Chloe Grace Moretz (The Equilizer, Carrie 2013), UFC fighter Rhonda Rousey, Michael Vartan (Alias, Monster in Law), LA Laker/basketball legends Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, Soccer legend David Beckham and his sons are amongst the strongest supporters of the Kings’ celebrity fan base as actual fans of the team. Another one was Alan Thicke, and sadly he passed away yesterday from a heart attack while playing hockey with his 19-year-old son.
Thicke, born on march 1, 1947 in Kirkland, ON Canada, was best known for his role as Dr. Jason Seaver in the classic sitcom, “Growing Pains,” which ran from 1985 to 1992. Recently, Thicke was a special guest star of the current second season of “Fuller House,” a show that stars Candace Cameron-Bure, (who is former LA Kings Valeri Bure‘s wife). Ironically, Candace’s real life older brother and actor Kirk Cameron played Alan Thicke’s son, Mike Seaver on ‘Growing Pains.”
Known for his deep passion for the sport of hockey, Thicke grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan, but later had become a Kings’ fans after permanently moving to the greater city of Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He was very close friends with Wayne Gretzky and his family, as well as Luc Robitaille‘s, and Thicke was a frequent attendee of Kings’ games while they were still playing at the Forum. He would also make appearances at the Staples Center, and participated in many celebrity hockey events for charity. He also has hosted or had been a part of the NHL Awards show on many occasions, (and in one of them, he even sang!)
Omar, Pia, Thicke…ready for another Cup! #Kings’opener #NHL # LAKings #Robitaille@LAKings @NHL pic.twitter.com/3yoXxK77J9
— Alan Thicke (@Alan_Thicke) October 13, 2016
Thicke also has an interesting story about how he was involved with the game changing Gretzky trade to Los Angeles, involving another of his sons, Robin Thicke (of ‘Blurred Lines” fame), back in 1988. Here’s a YouTube video of Thicke telling the story.
Thicke is survived by his wife Tanya, and his three sons, Brennan, Robin and Carter.
Robin Thicke remembers his late father Alan Thicke: “The greatest man I ever met”: https://t.co/hWYY9P7hOH pic.twitter.com/dwmpWpVcj3
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 14, 2016
Rest in Paradise Mr. Thicke, and thank you for all your support and love for the Los Angeles Kings and the great sport of hockey. You will be missed.
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