8 Behind-The-Scenes Stories About Sitcom Dads (5 of 5)

8. Alan Thicke lived so close to the Growing Pains set that he’d walk there in his bathrobe

Growing Pains was the ultimate blueprint for the 1980s family sitcom. The series starred Alan Thicke as psychiatrist Dr. Jason Seaver, Joanna Kerns as news reporter wife Maggie and three children (and in the later seasons a precocious fourth in a cynical bid to boost ratings). The show acknowledged the changing dynamics of the 1980s family, with the dad working from home while the mom returned to the newsroom. In interviews, the late actor indicated that the vibe was pretty laid back. For instance, when they were asked if they could be at the studio in 20 minutes, since Thicke lived close by, he’d show up in whatever he happened to be wearing when they called, including his bathrobe.