Alan Thicke's death certificate says the Canadian actor, composer and talk-show host died after his aorta tore, then ruptured.
The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
The ``Growing Pains'' star died December 13th at age 69 after collapsing while playing hockey with his son.
He was buried Monday in Santa Barbara, California.
An aortic tear also killed actor John Ritter in 2003.