Posted on 07/28/2022 9:54:41 AM PDT by Red Badger
Tony Dow, the actor who personified the role of America’s big brother as the elder sibling Wally Cleaver on the TV classic sitcom Leave It to Beaver, died today. He was 77, and had been battling cancer.
His death comes a day after his passing was mistakenly reported by his management team and his wife.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
A statement on his Facebook page now reads:
We have received confirmation from Christopher, Tony’s son, that Tony passed away earlier this morning, with his loving family at his side to see him through this journey. We know that the world is collectively saddened by the loss of this incredible man. He gave so much to us all and was loved by so many. One fan said it best—”It is rare when there is a person who is so universally loved like Tony.”
(Excerpt) Read more at deadline.com ...
Damn, that’s twice this week.
RIP Sir.
Thank you for your contribution to a a clean wholesome portrayal of American life and a positive influence on my childhood.
RIP He wasn’t in anything good after LITB.
Amen.
Same thing happened to Bob Hope.........
Cancer.
He lived a long time with it.
God rest his soul.
RIP Wally. Cancer sucks, I know first hand.
Any news on General Francisco Franco?
Agreed. I’ve been watching Leave it to Beaver reruns over the past year and he had some hysterical lines. Tony/Wally was the star as much as Beaver! And what a great family oriented show it was!
> Thank you for your contribution to a a clean wholesome portrayal of American life and a positive influence on my childhood. <
Yes. ‘Leave It To Beaver’ and ‘The Rifleman’ were morality plays as much as anything else. And as you noted, they had a positive effect on those who watched them.
‘The Rifleman’ could have done with a bit less shooting, though. Just my opinion, and no big deal in the overall scheme of things.
I may be weird but I remember, at the age of 9, when we got our first TV way back in 1956. We watched anything on the TV that moved.
However, Leave it to Beaver left us kids cold. Never cared for that show.
I remember that at the end of each episode Ward Cleaver would explain the moral to the story to Wally and Beaver. The actor Hugh Beaumont was an ordained Methodist minister in real life.
Gee, Mom! Wally’s not dead! Wait, yes, he is.
Flash Gordon, You Were There, Hopalong Cassidy...
RIP
Check the Disney (puke) remake. Late ‘80s? It delivered for the franchise. It was real good. Tony was good.
RIP, Mr. Dow. Thanks for making my life better.
” . . . following earlier confusion.”
My first thought was Eddie Haskell had to be involved somehow or another; maybe even Lumpy.
So the Down was down the day after the Dow was up…
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