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Alan Thicke reveals why he avoided romance with 'Growing Pains' co-star Joanna Kerns

The Seaver family from the classic '80s sitcom "Growing Pains" was a loving bunch, but as star Alan Thicke revealed on TODAY Monday, they might have ended up even closer.
/ Source: TODAY

The Seaver family from the classic '80s sitcom "Growing Pains" was a loving bunch, but as star Alan Thicke revealed on TODAY Monday, they might have ended up even closer.

Specifically him with his on-camera wife, played by Joanna Kerns. "She couldn't keep her hands off of me!" he laughed to Tamron Hall and Billy Bush.

JOANNA KERNS;ALAN THICKE
Joanna Kerns and Alan Thicke took the job seriously in "Growing Pains."ABC via Getty Images

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"This is not the truth, Alan," Bush countered.

Thicke admitted it wasn't. But there was more to the story. "We were very fond of each other right from the beginning," he said. "But then we thought, 'You know, it's possible, this is a good show, it could last longer than a relationship.'"

"Growing Pains" ultimately ran from 1985 to 1992, which especially in Hollywood is a long run for a celebrity relationship (and pretty good for a TV show, too).

"Actors historically get bored," said Thicke, who is now married to his third wife, Tanya Callau, with whom he stars in the reality show "Unusually Thicke." Then he tossed out a zinger: "Actors make Taylor Swift look like a long-term commitment."

Alan Thicke
Tamron Hall, Billy Bush and Alan Thicke shared a laugh over Hollywood relationships.Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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In any case, Kerns and Thicke found out very early on just what kind of relationship they'd do best with. "The way we met, at our audition, they were just throwing pairs of people together," he said. "It's, 'Hi, here's Joanne!' 'Tongue?' 'I don't think so!'"

Hey, as long as they've got each other.

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