Alan Thicke's life in pictures: Family man, TV icon and proud Canadian

The actor was born on Mar. 1 1947 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. His mother Joan (seen here) was a nurse and his father William was a stockbroker. He attended Elliot Lake Secondary School before studying at the University of Western Ontario. <br>Photo: © Instagram/@alan_thicke
Alan and <em>Days of Our Lives</em> actress Gloria Loring married in 1970. The pair had two sons together, Brennan and Robin, before splitting in 1984. <br>Photo: © Getty Images
Before making it as an actor, Alan had a very successful career as a writer and composer. He received three Emmy nominations for his work on Barry Manilow's talk show and co-created the theme songs for <em>The Facts of Life</em> and <em>Diff'rent Strokes</em>. Alan even sang the lyrics in the latter iconic tune. <br>Photo: © Instagram/@alan_thicke
After starring in a long list of television movies and a guest stint on <em>The Love Boat</em>, Alan became a household name as an actor when he took on the role of Dr. Jason Seaver in the much-loved '80s series <em>Growing Pains</em>. In 1988, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. The show ended in 1992 after seven successful seasons. <br>Photo: © Getty Images
In 1994, Alan said "I do" to former Miss World Gina Tolleson. Two years after the arrival of their son Carter in 1997, the couple called it quits. <br>Photo: © Getty Images
Alan hosted the reboot of the '70s gameshow <em>Three's a Crowd</em> in 2000. <br>Photo: © Everett/CP
After meeting and falling in love in 1999, Alan and model Tanya Callau made things official during a romantic beach wedding In 2005. <br>Photo: © Getty Images
Alan even conquered daytime television! From 2006-2009, the Canadian actor played Rich Ginger on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>. <br>Photo: © Getty Images
Like many Canadians, Alan was passionate about all things hockey. He played in celebrity all-star games and in recreational leagues. He was also a good friend of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. The former NHLer posted the following message on Twitter after learning of his friend's death. "Janet & I are deeply saddened to hear of Alan's passing. He was a wonderful man,father,husband and friend.He will be missed by all. RIP Alan" <br>Photo: © Getty Images
Alan was the proud grandfather of two adorable boys. Robin's six-year-old son Julian and Brennan's son Tyler (R). <br>Photo: © Instagram/@alan_thicke
"Three generations of Thickness!" joked Robin on Instagram. <br>Photo: © Instagram/@robin_thicke
The actor was playing hockey with his son Carter, pictured here, when he suffered a heart attack. The 19-year-old reflected on his relationship with this father on Instagram, writing, "Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it's finest. I have never known a more kind, loving, hairy, and generous person in my life and I am forever grateful for the light that this man brought to my life and so many others." <br>Photo: © Instagram/@carter_thicke
Alan hilariously played himself in a series of episodes of <em>How I Met Your Mother</em>, when the character of Robin (played by Canadian actress Cobie Smulders) flash-backed to her days as a teen singing sensation in the Great White North. <br>Photo: © CBS/Everett/CP
Canada's Walk of Fame celebrated Alan's contributions to entertainment in 2013. The actor attended the ceremony with his wife Tanya and sons Carter and Brennan (L). <br>Photo: © Getty Images
In 2014, Alan and his family invited fans into their world when they let cameras follow them around for the reality series <em>Unusually Thicke</em>.
A few weeks before his death, Alan travelled to British Columbia to accept the Whistler Film Festival's Canadian Icon Award. He participated in a panel during the event and later expressed his gratitude on Instagram, writing, "Thanks to Whistler Film Fest for the Icon Award. I promise to try and stay iconic.” <br>Photo: © Getty Images
For more than five decades, Alan Thicke flourished as a writer, composer and actor. On Dec. 13 2016, the Canadian star passed away after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey with his son Carter in California. <p>In honour of his remarkable career, <em>Hello!</em> looks back at Alan's life as a family man, great TV father and proud Canadian.</p>
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