NEW YORK — The death of Alan Thicke has saddened every fan of “Growing Pains,” the family sitcom where he played Dr. Jason Seaver, a psychiatrist and ideal TV dad.
The show lives on in reruns and memories since its ABC run ended in 1992 after seven seasons. But a quarter-century later, what has become of the actors who portrayed the rest of the Seaver clan?
• Joanna Kerns (Maggie Seaver, Jason’s wife and mother of their brood of three, then four, offspring): At 63, she has continued to work as an actress, with notable projects including Katherine Heigl’s hit 2007 movie, “Knocked Up,” where she played Heigl’s mom, and “Girl, Interrupted,” the 1999 film starring Angelina Jolie. Kerns has also logged several TV movies as well as many series guest performances. She branched out into directing, most recently tackling episodes of “The Goldbergs,” “Pitch” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”
• Kirk Cameron (Mike, who was 15 when the series began): Now 46, Cameron has blended show biz with his faith (having become a born-again Christian at 17). Emerging from “Pains” as a teenage heartthrob, he starred in a short-lived sitcom, “Kirk,” in 1995. Since then, he has largely focused on Christian-based film projects, including three “Left Behind” movies. His next film, set for release in 2017: “Extraordinary,” based on ultra-marathon legend David Horton.