‘Leave It to Beaver’ co-star Tony Dow dead at 77, a day after premature announcement

Actors Jerry Mathers (L) and Tony Dow, stars of the hit comedy collection “Go away It To Beaver” act as presenters throughout a taping of the second annual TV Land Awards in Hollywood March 7, 2004. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Picture

July 27 (Reuters) – Actor Tony Dow, finest identified for his position as Wally Cleaver within the Nineteen Fifties American TV sitcom “Go away It to Beaver,” died Wednesday at age 77, his household and administration group mentioned on Wednesday, a day after his loss of life was introduced prematurely.

Dow, whose profession in tv as an actor, director and producer spanned seven a long time, died in hospice care along with his household at his aspect, in line with an announcement posted to Fb citing his son Christopher. A explanation for loss of life was not disclosed, although he and his spouse, Lauren, had mentioned Dow had suffered from a recurrence of most cancers in Could.

“Though it is a very unhappy day, I’ve consolation and peace that he’s in a greater place,” Christopher Dow mentioned within the assertion. “He was the perfect Dad anybody might ask for.”

On Tuesday, Dow’s managers needed to retract a Fb put up saying the gravely in poor health actor had already died, explaining that his “distraught” spouse had mistakenly thought he had been declared lifeless. Whereas gravely in poor health, Dow was nonetheless alive, they mentioned on the time.

In “Go away It to Beaver,” which ran from 1957 to 1963, Dow performed the teenage older brother of the title character, Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver. Dow’s position within the present, which depicted an idealized American household dwelling a carefree life in an American suburb, made him a cultural icon.

“We all know that the world is collectively saddened by the lack of this unbelievable man,” his administration group mentioned within the social media put up. “He gave a lot to us all and was beloved by so many.”

In late Could, Dow shared a Fb message thanking his followers for his or her well-wishes and detailing his well being progress, together with his expertise with most cancers therapy. One other put up per week earlier than his loss of life famous that his well being was in decline.

Dow reprised his position as Wally Cleaver within the Eighties for a by-product film, “Nonetheless the Beaver,” and a TV collection, “The New Go away It to Beaver.” He additionally appeared within the daytime collection “Normal Hospital.”

Dow can be credited as director for greater than a dozen TV reveals, together with “The New Go away it to Beaver” And “Harry and the Hendersons” within the Nineteen Nineties.

Reporting by Tyler Clifford; enhancing by Jonathan Oatis

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