Tony Dow, Wally of ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ dies By Gray News staff Published: Jul. 26, 2022 at 10:57 AM CDT|Updated: 8 minutes ago
Gray News) - Tony Dow, the actor who played Wally Cleaver in the hit 1950′s television show “Leave It to Beaver,” has died. He was 77.
His management team announced the news on his official Facebook page Tuesday morning.
“The world has lost an amazing human being, but we are all richer for the memories that he has left us. From the warm reminiscences of Wally Cleaver to those of us fortunate enough to know him personally - thank you Tony. And thank you for the reflections of a simpler time, the laughter, the friendship and for the feeling that you were a big brother to us all,” the Facebook message said in part.
The actor appeared in several TV shows spanning decades and genres, including “Adam-12,” “Mod Squad,” “Emergency,” “The Love Boat,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Babylon 5,” according to his iMDB page.
Dow also worked behind the camera, directing episodes of some TV shows, including “Coach,” “Babylon 5” and “Harry and the Hendersons.”
But he was best known as the older brother of The Beaver, played by Jerry Mathers, in the quintessential TV sitcom, which ran for six seasons, from 1957 to 1963.
Sad news. Another of the generation I grew up in has gone on to his final reward. I'd sure like to hear the conversation between Tony and Saint Peter right now. I wonder if there will be any mention of the Beav ?
I’ve noticed TV was goood when it was black and white.
When TV become colorized, mouthy, marxist groids and fàggots infected it.
Years ago I saw a show about how TV changed nearly overnight. They explained, it went from families/trees/fields to broken families/concrete/cities, bye bye Green Acres hello Family Affair, Mayberry RFD to The Partridge Family.
UPDATE: On Tuesday afternoon, Tony Dow’s wife told TMZ that she “believed her husband was dead” and told his management team who announced his passing on his official Facebook account. The wife, Lauren, said as of Tuesday afternoon, he is “still alive and breathing while in hospice care” and she’s “distraught” over the error. The Facebook post has since been taken down.
UPDATE: On Tuesday afternoon, Tony Dow’s wife told TMZ that she “believed her husband was dead” and told his management team who announced his passing on his official Facebook account. The wife, Lauren, said as of Tuesday afternoon, he is “still alive and breathing while in hospice care” and she’s “distraught” over the error. The Facebook post has since been taken down.
Wally Cleaver is one of my favorite TV characters ever. My wife thinks it’s hilarious that I can sit and laugh my ass off watching LITB. Wally always told it like it was, whether Ward and June wanted it put that way or not. He would not be a well received character in 2022. Cancer sucks. Go easy and RIP big brother.
UPDATE: On Tuesday afternoon, Tony Dow’s wife told TMZ that she “believed her husband was dead” and told his management team who announced his passing on his official Facebook account. The wife, Lauren, said as of Tuesday afternoon, he is “still alive and breathing while in hospice care” and she’s “distraught” over the error. The Facebook post has since been taken down.
The same thing happened to my sweet mother in law. We got the call that she had passed…..then got a call “no she hadn’t!” Then got the call that “Yes, she really passed this time.” I doubt she would have seen the humor in that sequence.
UPDATE 2:53 PM PT -- Tony's son, Christopher, says "Dad is at home, under hospice care, and in his last hours. My wife and I are by his side along with many friends that have visited. He has a fighting heart." 12:48 PM PT -- The statement reporting Tony's death that was posted on his official Facebook page Tuesday morning has now been removed. We spoke with Tony's manager who says Tony's wife, Lauren, who is very distraught, believed her husband was dead -- and told his management. We're now told he is still alive and breathing while in hospice care.
Hospice is not for those who are expected to quickly recover.
How nice must it be for Tony to see the outpouring of love he received when people thought he was dead. We almost never get to hear the praises we get at our funerals.
Hospice is not for those who are expected to quickly recover.
How nice must it be for Tony to see the outpouring of love he received when people thought he was dead. We almost never get to hear the praises we get at our funerals.
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