Alan Thicke Died from Ruptured Aorta, Autopsy Concludes

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Alan Thicke, best known as the father in the family comedy "Growing Pains," died of a ruptured aorta, it was reported Wednesday.

The 69-year-old Canadian-born actor was playing hockey with his 19-year- old son Carter at a rink in Burbank on Dec. 13 when he was stricken.

He was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

His death certificate lists a "ruptured aorta" as the cause, according to "Entertainment Tonight," which obtained a copy of the document.

Thicke, who was initially believed to have suffered a heart attack, was best known for the role of Jason Seaver in ABC's 1985-92 comedy "Growing Pains."

At the time of his death, he was starring in "Unusually Thicke" with his son Carter and wife Tanya on the cable network Pop. Described as a "reality sitcom," its second season began Sept. 21.

Thicke guest starred in a second-season episode of the Netflix comedy "Fuller House," which was released on Dec. 9, and made a cameo appearance as himself in the premiere of the critically acclaimed NBC drama "This Is Us" on Sept. 20.

Thicke's survivors include his son Robin, the Grammy-nominated singer- songwriter best known for the 2013 song "Blurred Lines," sons Carter and Brennan, his wife Tanya, and grandsons Tyler and Julian.

City News Service; Photo: Toglenn via Wikimedia Commons