ACTOR
Alan Thicke
- Known for
- Growing Pains (1985), Copper Mountain (1983)
25 archived facts 2 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
Alan Thicke is an actor best known for Growing Pains and Copper Mountain.
25 Interesting Facts About Alan Thicke
Interesting Facts (20)
- #001
Alan Thicke composed and performed both theme songs for Diff'rent Strokes (1978).
- #002
Before becoming a successful actor and game show host, Alan Thicke worked as a songwriter (together with his first wife, Gloria Loring) with Charlotte Rae on both sitcoms, and he also appeared in those series: Diff'rent Strokes (1978) and The Facts of Life (1979).
- #003
Alan Thicke died four days after Netflix released the second season of Fuller House (2016), in which he appeared as a guest star.
- #004
Alan Thicke hosted Wayne Gretzky's wedding in Edmonton, Canada.
- #005
In May 2003, while playing hockey with actor Michael Vartan, Alan Thicke lost five teeth and needed 30 stitches after a flying puck struck his face; Thicke was not wearing adequate headgear.
- #006
Alan Thicke sang and composed the theme for the cult classic TV game show The Wizard of Odds (1973), hosted by Alex Trebek.
- #007
Alan Thicke composed the original music for Wheel of Fortune (1983) known as "Big Wheels"; the original theme was used until 1983. Other game show themes he composed include Celebrity Sweepstakes (1974) (the second theme used on that series), The Diamond Head Game (1975) and Whew! (1979).
- #008
Alan Thicke is best known for playing Dr. Jason Seaver on Growing Pains (1985), but he had a long and eclectic television career, working as a writer, personality, host and composer on a wide range of programs including sitcoms, variety shows, soap operas, game shows, commercials, reality shows, specials and parades, among other roles.
- #009
Alan Thicke once had his nose broken by Gordie Howe during a celebrity hockey game.
- #010
Alan Thicke played Billy Flynn in the touring company of the musical "Chicago".
- #011
Alan Thicke's second wife, Gina Marie Tolleson, was a freelance TV reporter and hostess as well as the 1990 Miss World.
- #012
Alan Thicke produced a CBC television series hosted by the young Canadian singer René Simard.
- #013
Alan Thicke was the manager of the young Canadian singer René Simard.
- #014
His stepfather runs a family medical practice in Brampton, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto.
- #015
Alan Thicke was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
- #016
Alan Thicke appeared in a commercial for "CCS Medical" diabetes supplies.
- #017
Alan Thicke was the Optima Tax Relief spokesman in radio spots.
- #018
His stepfather is a certified Transport Canada doctor, providing medical care for pilots.
- #019
Alan Thicke is the brother-in-law of Kenny Callau.
- #020
Alan Thicke was born at 14:00 EST.
Life & Family (5)
- #021
Alan Thicke died while playing hockey with his son.
- #022
Alan Thicke was 40 when he dated 17-year-old actress Kristy Swanson, and they became engaged two years later; they met when she was 16 and working on the WB lot.
- #023
Alan Thicke worked as a disc jockey during his college years.
- #024
Alan Thicke was of Scottish, Irish and English descent.
- #025
Alan Thicke is the former father-in-law of Paula Patton.
Related pages
- Hangin' with Mr. Cooper — Alan Thicke comes up in the facts on that page
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work