Alan Thicke mixed life as a wholesome sitcom star with wild Hollywood living — including a troubled relationship with actress Kristy Swanson, who he reportedly began dating when she was only 17 years old! Alan, who’d pass away suddenly in 2016 at the age of 69, first met Kristy on the Warner Brothers film lot in 1985. The actress was only 16 at the time. But the “Growing Pains” dad didn’t mind the age difference, and the troubled couple ended up in a drug-fueled romance! The celebrity couple still kept a low profile as Kristy began to appear in hit films like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” By 1989, Alan was proudly stepping out with his 20-year-old girlfriend at the age of 42 — with The National ENQUIRER even revealing that the two were talking marriage. Sources claimed that his sons Brennan and Robin Thicke, however, didn’t approve of their father’s troubled girlfriend — especially after Kristy overdosed on cocaine in January 1988…
1 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
Brennan and Robin were "really upset that Alan would marry a girl who's still a kid herself," said a close family friend at the time. Alan would later deny any rumors of an engagement — insisting, "It's not that serious." Behind the scenes, though, Alan was hiding a deadly secret, as he was fighting to save Kristy from a crippling drug addiction!
2 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
Alan finally told all in an exclusive interview with The ENQUIRER in 1989 — revealing how Kristy's drug use had nearly ended their relationship before bringing them closer together! "When she called me from the hospital, I was furious," he said. " 'How could you be so stupid! You said you'd never touch drugs,' I told her. Then I hung up."
3 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
"It took a few minutes for me to cool off," he continued. "I called her back. I told her, 'I'm scared for you. You've got to stop right now and promise me you'll never touch the stuff again, do you understand? If you continue to use drugs, we're through!'"
4 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
He encouraged Kristy to take part in a six-week drug rehabilitation program to wipe the arrest off her record. "She went every week and learned about the damage drugs do, physically and emotionally," said Alan. "I'm afraid I sounded just like my fatherly Jason Seaver character on
'Growing Pains.' I explained that she needed to be there!"
5 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
But by March 1991, the couple had split — with a friend confiding that Alan had his
own addiction to women! "It's typical of Alan to have two women going at the same time while he lies to both of them," said the insider — adding: "Alan told me, 'I can't help it. I think I'm in love with one girl, and another one even more beautiful comes along!'"
6 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
Kristy, meanwhile, had dated a close pal of
Bill Clinton — and made more embarrassing headlines without Alan's guidance! Her career had peaked after the big-screen "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and she was busted in 2000 on drunk-driving charges! "She failed a roadside sobriety test and then a breathalyzer," a police source told The ENQUIRER.
7 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
"Swanson's reading was 0.23," the source continued, "when you're considered to be under the influence at 0.08!" It was a heartbreaking development for Alan, who had
lost his own mother to chronic alcoholism just months before Kristy's arrest. He'd continue to be a regular presence at Hollywood charity events fighting addictions to drugs and alcohol.
8 of 8
Photo credit: Getty Images
Kristy would later marry her "Skating with Celebrities" partner Lloyd Eisler in 2009, after having a baby with him in 2007. Lloyd left his pregnant wife for Kristy, who's since stayed out of trouble —
after a 2007 scuffle where Lloyd's ex-wife and Kristy pressed assault complaints against each other.
Brennan and Robin were "really upset that Alan would marry a girl who's still a kid herself," said a close family friend at the time. Alan would later deny any rumors of an engagement — insisting, "It's not that serious." Behind the scenes, though, Alan was hiding a deadly secret, as he was fighting to save Kristy from a crippling drug addiction!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Alan finally told all in an exclusive interview with The ENQUIRER in 1989 — revealing how Kristy's drug use had nearly ended their relationship before bringing them closer together! "When she called me from the hospital, I was furious," he said. " 'How could you be so stupid! You said you'd never touch drugs,' I told her. Then I hung up."
Photo credit: Getty Images
"It took a few minutes for me to cool off," he continued. "I called her back. I told her, 'I'm scared for you. You've got to stop right now and promise me you'll never touch the stuff again, do you understand? If you continue to use drugs, we're through!'"
Photo credit: Getty Images
He encouraged Kristy to take part in a six-week drug rehabilitation program to wipe the arrest off her record. "She went every week and learned about the damage drugs do, physically and emotionally," said Alan. "I'm afraid I sounded just like my fatherly Jason Seaver character on
'Growing Pains.' I explained that she needed to be there!"
Photo credit: Getty Images
But by March 1991, the couple had split — with a friend confiding that Alan had his
own addiction to women! "It's typical of Alan to have two women going at the same time while he lies to both of them," said the insider — adding: "Alan told me, 'I can't help it. I think I'm in love with one girl, and another one even more beautiful comes along!'"
Photo credit: Getty Images
Kristy, meanwhile, had dated a close pal of
Bill Clinton — and made more embarrassing headlines without Alan's guidance! Her career had peaked after the big-screen "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and she was busted in 2000 on drunk-driving charges! "She failed a roadside sobriety test and then a breathalyzer," a police source told The ENQUIRER.
Photo credit: Getty Images
"Swanson's reading was 0.23," the source continued, "when you're considered to be under the influence at 0.08!" It was a heartbreaking development for Alan, who had
lost his own mother to chronic alcoholism just months before Kristy's arrest. He'd continue to be a regular presence at Hollywood charity events fighting addictions to drugs and alcohol.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Kristy would later marry her "Skating with Celebrities" partner Lloyd Eisler in 2009, after having a baby with him in 2007. Lloyd left his pregnant wife for Kristy, who's since stayed out of trouble —
after a 2007 scuffle where Lloyd's ex-wife and Kristy pressed assault complaints against each other.
Photo credit: Getty Images
