ALAN THICKE grew up in the rough-and-tumble gold mining town of Kirkland
Lake, Ontario, in the far north of Canada. "There were two ways a guy
could get out of town," he muses, "play hockey or get a girl pregnant. I
wasn't good enough at either." Consequently, ALAN entertained his way out,
doing stand-up comedy and singing in a rock-and-roll band.In 1985, ALAN's role as psychiatrist and father JASON SEAVER on ABC-TV's hit series "GROWING PAINS" propelled him into the international spotlight as one of television's most adored father figures. The series reigned for seven years earning ALAN numerous awards and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
For the 1995-96 television seasons he starred as Dennis Dupree in NBC's "Hope & Gloria."
In 1995 ALAN turned 180 degrees to become "Dennis Dupree," an hilariously pompous TV talk show host on the hit NBC series "Hope & Gloria," the highest rated new show of the season. ALAN has gotten the best reviews of his, life and he's loving every superlative minute of it.
'95 also brought ALAN a Daytime Emmy nomination as Best Actor for his work on "The Trial Of Little Red Riding Hood," a Disney Channel Movie. ALAN's television popularity helped generate record ratings for the movie "NOT QUITE HUMAN" and sparked "NOT QUITE HUMAN II" and "STILL NOT QUITE HUMAN." His other movies for television include "THE CALENDAR GIRL MURDERS," "SHOOTING STAR," "DANCE 'TIL DAWN," "JURY DUTY," and RUBDOWN." In theatrical release, ALAN can be seen in widely diverse roles, including the thriller" "OBSESSED" and "BETRAYAL OF THE DOVE," and the- comedies "AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR PARENTS WERE WEIRD" and "STEPMONSTER."
Most recently, he completed a Co-Starting role in "WINDSOR PROTOCOL", for the Showtime Network, due to air this Spring. Other additional credits include Co-Starring roles in the "upcoming USA Network Movie - "ANY PLACE BUT HOME", and the Feature Film - "ANARCHY TV"; as well as the recently aired NBC Movie of the Week - "THE SECRET SHE CARRIED" - for which he served as Co- EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
ALAN hat also racked up four Emmy nominations, and a number of successes behind the camera as well. He wrote and produced the revolutionary comedies "FERNWOOD TONITE" and "AMERICA TONITE" earning him two Emmy nominations, and the shows remain cult favorites today in re-run. He's also written over 45 television theme compositions including "FACTS OF LIFE," "DIFFERENT STROKES," "WHEEL OF FORTUNE," and the theme for the "Dennis Dupree Show," the show within the show "Hope & Gloria."
ALAN broke into broadcasting as an all-night radio DJ. His TV career began behind the scenes as a writer for the Canadian Broadcasting Company. That talent soon led to the States where he wrote and/or produced TV Special for such talent as BILL COSBY, FLIP WILSON, RICHARD PRYOR, KENNY ROGERS, OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, ANNE MURRAY, and BARRY MANILOW, among others.
From 1980 to 1983, ALAN hosted "THE ALAN THICKE SHOW," a talk/variety program that proved to be the biggest hit in the history of day-time Canadian television. Next came the late-night American entry "THICKE OF THE NIGHT," which lost its challenge to Johnny Carson. It was a difficult year. "I was divorced and canceled on the same day," he recalls with wry humor. Then came the tremendous success of GROWING PAINS."
ALAN is also one of the most sought-after Hosts in the country. "I get all of the M.C. and banquet gigs that Seinfeld and Leno can't do," he explains. ALAN hosted the 1987 Emmy Awards, as well as ABC's DISNEY CHRISTMAS and EASTER PARADES (3 yrs.), ABC's FALL PREVIEW SPECIALS (2 yrs.), SHOWTIME's COMEDY ALL-STARS, the OLYMPIC RICK-OFF GALA, ABC's popular "ANIMAL CRACK-UPS"(3 yrs.), "TUBE TEST I and II," "TV'S FUNNIEST PASTIMES I and II" the "MISS UNIVERSE," MISS WORLD USA" and "MISS {USA' Pageant, NBC's "WORLD'S GREATEST MAGIC" ('96), and "LIGHTS! ACTION! HOLLYWOOD!" (syndicated '94, '95, '96)...to name a few.
His concert and club act mixes music sad standup and is booked most weekends around the country, including annual stint. at the main showrooms in Las Vegas and Atlantic City with artists such as NATALIE COLE, MELISSA MANCHESTER and DIONNE WARWICK. ALAN relishes the variety of his work life, adding corporate and collegiate speaking engagement to his agenda of appearance.
Additionally, he has revisited his writing craft to create sitcom pilot scripts for studios including Castle Rock and Warner Brothers as well as a television movie, "WHEN LOVE GROWS OLD," for The Family Channel, and a feature film, "THE NOONE HOUR". for Steve Tisch Production. (producer of FORREST GUMP"). One of his recent passions has been his nationally syndicated humor column in Canada for The Toronto Sun chain.
He is proud to have been named "FATHER OF THE YEAR" by organizations including THE FATHER'S DAY COUNCIL OF LOS ANGELES, THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL EYE COUNCIL, and THE JUVENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION (JDF). Other awards include INTERNATIONAL FATHER OF THE YEAR, and MAN 0F THE YEAR by JDF.
He has served as spokesperson for the JDF, speaking before Congress for increased funding, and served on the Board of Chancellors. In 1989, the University of Western Ontario announced the opening of THE ALAN THICKE CENTER FOR DIABETES RESEARCH.
The moat important elements of ALAN's life has been his two sons, BRENNAN (21) and ROBIN (19). On August 13, 1994, ALAN reached one of his proudest milestones, marrying South Carolinian Gina Tolleson, a broadcast journalism graduate (University of Georgia), freelance television reporter/hostess and, not incidentally, Miss World '91. The newlyweds spend recreational time participating in celebrity softball, tennis, golf and ski tournaments. They love to travel and otherwise divide their time between their L.A. residence and their ranch near Santa Barbara. Are there more children in the Thickes' future? Ask them.