Post by mikef6 on Jul 26, 2022 18:37:10 GMT
"Leave It To Beaver" actor Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver in the popular sitcom, died Tuesday at 77.
Dow's manager Frank Bilotta confirmed in an email to USA TODAY Tuesday that the actor died of cancer.
"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning," said a statement from Bilotta and Renee James, Dow's management team, posted on Dow's Facebook page Tuesday.
"Tony was a beautiful soul - kind, compassionate, funny and humble. It was truly a joy to just be around him. His gentle voice and unpretentious manner were immediately comforting and you could not help but love him," they added.
"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 post said.
On the hit sitcom, which aired on CBS and then ABC from 1957-63, Wally was the older son of Ward and June, a straighter contrast to the quirkier main character of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers). A popular jock, Wally was also ensnared in the schemes of his friend, the mischievous and smooth-talking Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond).
The news comes less than three months after the actor and his wife, Lauren Shulkind put out a joint statement sharing the "very sad news" of his cancer diagnosis, though they didn't disclose details of the disease.
"Dear Friends & Fans of Tony Dow, I have some very sad news to share with you. Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer. He is approaching this reality so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking," the joint statement read.
Dow later reprised his role as Wally in a "Beaver" spinoff from 1983 to 1989. He also directed several episodes of 1993's "Babylon 5" along with 1999 episodes of "Crusade" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."
The actor, born Anthony Lee Dow, has starred in an array of television series as a child and was involved in A Minor Consideration, a non-profit foundation to provide support for child actors.
Dow's manager Frank Bilotta confirmed in an email to USA TODAY Tuesday that the actor died of cancer.
"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning," said a statement from Bilotta and Renee James, Dow's management team, posted on Dow's Facebook page Tuesday.
"Tony was a beautiful soul - kind, compassionate, funny and humble. It was truly a joy to just be around him. His gentle voice and unpretentious manner were immediately comforting and you could not help but love him," they added.
"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 post said.
On the hit sitcom, which aired on CBS and then ABC from 1957-63, Wally was the older son of Ward and June, a straighter contrast to the quirkier main character of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers). A popular jock, Wally was also ensnared in the schemes of his friend, the mischievous and smooth-talking Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond).
The news comes less than three months after the actor and his wife, Lauren Shulkind put out a joint statement sharing the "very sad news" of his cancer diagnosis, though they didn't disclose details of the disease.
"Dear Friends & Fans of Tony Dow, I have some very sad news to share with you. Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer. He is approaching this reality so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking," the joint statement read.
Dow later reprised his role as Wally in a "Beaver" spinoff from 1983 to 1989. He also directed several episodes of 1993's "Babylon 5" along with 1999 episodes of "Crusade" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."
The actor, born Anthony Lee Dow, has starred in an array of television series as a child and was involved in A Minor Consideration, a non-profit foundation to provide support for child actors.
