Does anybody have accounts of how the cast acted off the set?? I don't know if there are some stories or some things in jerry's books or perhaps people have heard stories, or they read it in magazines or somethign, please do share! I always wondered how they acted when they were off the set and when they were themselves, to me, they would be like a "family" off set as well, please share!!

sorry, i meant to start a new thread

I bought Jerry Mathers' book when it was new, but it became mislplaced, so I haven't read it since. But I do remember Jerry mentions some things about the off the set relations among the cast, but I don't remember anything (during the run of the series, that is) completely away from work or studio. Although it's not off the set, one thing he told about was how the kids would joke and play around, and then when they were trying a take they would sometimes not be able to stifle their giggles, which kept the directors (especially Tokar) shortfused with them.

I remember there were some anecdotes, mostly about him and the other kids near his age; that they basically got along well and they all had an interest in other goings-on around the studio. But I really can't remember much at all about his off-the-set realtions with the adults; and very little about Tony Dow, except that they both had school for part of the day and spent the rest of their time working

Well, Frank Bank told his side of it in his book "Call Me Lumpy". He said that in real life, he was very popular and in the cool crowd, and had a wild life. Ken Osmond wrote the forward of that book, and he made it pretty clear that he's VERY different from Frank. They are both great friends, but Ken's much more of a conservative guy. I don't know what he was like during Leave it to Beaver though. Frank did mention some swearing incidents
where Barbara Billinglsey would look dissaprovingly at him and Ken, but you can tell Frank adores Barbara.

I have no idea what Tony was like away from the set, but it seems like Jerry was a nice, normal kid. He mentioned that on the set, he and Tony didn't hang out, because there was an age difference, but also because the producers didn't want them to maybe fight backstage and then have to try to work together. Later on, he hung out sometimes with the older kids. I can't remember if Jerry or Frank mentioned it, I think Frank, but apparently it was much like the show. Jerry was the "little squirt". But the older boys seemed to be friends off the set. Now, however, all the guys seem to be really great friends. Later on, Jerry and Tony went on tour together in a little two-man play, and they seemed like they really bonded there, and then of course, later everyone went back to do The New Leave it to Beaver, so I'd say that the main cast of Leave it to Beaver are on pretty good terms.

The most interesting thing I noticed from the books is apparently there was some friction between little Jerry and Hugh Beaumont. Frank said sometimes this showed up onscreen when Beaver was mad at Ward, because in real life Jerry would get upset with Hugh. However, in Jerry's book, he clarified that he really liked and respected Hugh Beaumont, although they had two different personalities. Hugh and Barbara apparently got along really well in real life. Actually, it seems like everyone gets along with Barbara in real life!

Originally posted by HaskellGirl
Hugh and Barbara apparently got along really well in real life. Actually, it seems like everyone gets along with Barbara in real life!

What can I say, Barbara Billingsley is awesome! :)
-spoken from a true fan.

BBF: BeaversBiggestFan
(aka Barbara Billingsley Fan!)

Oh yeah, this isn't an off the set story, but Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers were on that "Child Stars: Their Story" the other night and they told a story about how one time during a break, Tony accidentally broke some big shot's car window with a baseball and he and Jerry were totally freaked out that this guy was gonna "clobber" them, but he ended up not even getting upset. ( I don't remember who's car window it was, I just know he was important). I wonder if that is where they got the idea for the ep where the boys break Ward's car window with a baseball?
OMG!!!! They're so CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

But everyone especially Jerry Mathers said in his book that they are very tight now. I'm glad.

I'm glad they are all tight too, it's so sad to read about actors in a series getting into fights and never speaking to each other again. I mean, practically every show you hear about has someone on the show who had a beef with someone else on the show. I'm glad that it's different for the LITB cast!

:banana: :banana: LOL! I'm gonna put these guys in all of my posts! they're hillarious!