One has to assume that entertainment industry veteran Alan Thicke is no stranger to luxury living. Amid an esteemed career through which he has earned a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination, seven Emmy Award nominations (five for writing, two for acting) and an induction to Canada’s Walk of Fame, Thicke has lived an exciting, adventurous and privileged life. With the success of his popular sitcom, Unusually Thicke—which just enjoyed its sophomore season on Pop TV in both the United States and Canada—it seems there’s no stopping this enduring actor and entertainer.
After connecting recently with Thicke for a conversation about his own luxury lifestyle, we discovered a quick-witted man who is surprisingly candid, endearingly self-deprecating and unabashedly opportunistic. His funny and honest responses only reinforce why he’s one of Hollywood’s most beloved personalities.
JustLuxe: What does the word "luxury" mean to you?
Alan Thicke: To me, the ultimate luxury is a private plane. Many of us in the industry can be talked into appearing anywhere, anytime, for any purpose as long as there is a G7…involved. We are known as “charter sluts.”
JL: What items or experiences do you love to splurge on?
AL: I tend to splurge on additions to my house…new rooms, furnishings, TVs and gadgets, rather than clothes or automobiles—although I completely enjoy the luxury of having a talking car…[David] Hasselhoff was way ahead of his time. Voice activation for phone calls, navigation and music are sure measures of evolution in our civilization. I am fortunate to have a wardrobe stylist for film and TV appearances who picks things out and makes sure they fit. That way my internal fashion sense can remain stuck in 1987, but I can still rock it when I go out. Actors are lucky to be frequently gifted with free stuff on the red carpet and I keep it whether I need it or not. A hoarder. A “swag whore” to complement my “charter slut” persona. Perhaps there is a thread there.
JL: What is your favorite travel destination?
AL: My favorite travel destinations include Muskoka, Vancouver Island, Montreal, Las Vegas, New Orleans...and any beach in the Caribbean. Or Cabo! I tend to prefer solitude, sunshine and relaxation when I have elective time. When I was younger I made a point of visiting every museum, fort and Cathedral in every city I visited. Now I'll take a palm tree and a piña colada.
I have always relished sharing my travel opportunities with family, especially my children. Nowadays, celebrity golf tournaments are a fine way to travel as a “guest,” see cool parts of the planet, get more swag, and (rather than have them over for dinner) reunite with friends on that circuit…and not have to clean up after them.
My bucket list includes Via Rail through western Canada, a river cruise in Europe and an intense tour of the Balkans (okay, I guess that means a few more Forts… and sign me up for one more Cathedral).
JL: What kind of cuisine do you favor?
AL: My culinary tastes are basic, from the steak, lobster and French fries family. I do enjoy the occasional foray into bone marrow and I loved foie gras before I learned how they obtain it. You can offer me a gourmet poutine and a butter tart any day. I am considered to be highly experimental in my openness to new dishes. For that reason, I was very popular in Vietnam for eating every imaginable part of an ox...and in Russia for eating brown bear chops with nary a fruity sauce to calm the taste. I love Chinese and Indian [foods] especially, but my sister’s ribs win the gold medal every time. My grandmother [also] made a fabulous bread pudding whose recipe left when she did.
JL: What is your best tip for living fabulously?
AL: My best tip for living fabulously would be to keep an open mind, [be] free to experiment, explore...try new foods, activities, vacations, challenges, work possibilities and acquaintances. None of us will live long enough to experience…all of the fabulousness our world has to offer so look around, get busy every day…and just dig in!
