Leave it to Beaver's Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver) (1945-2022) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Merry24 · 07-26-2022, 12:25 PM

Post

TVLegend · 07-26-2022, 12:51 PM

RIP, Tony. Cancer’s a bitch.

GentlemanJim · 07-26-2022, 01:11 PM

Liver cancer got my mom at age 77 too.

Zoneboy · 07-26-2022, 01:15 PM

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/26/enter...bit/index.html

(CNN)Tony Dow, an actor and director best known for his role as older brother Wally Cleaver on "Leave It to Beaver," died Tuesday, according to his representatives. He was 77.

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning," Frank Bilotta and Renee James, Dow's managers, announced in a statement. "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 was immediately comforting and you could not help but love him.
No cause of death was shared, but Dow revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Dow was thrust into stardom at age 12, when he was cast on the soon-to-be-smash sitcom "Leave It to Beaver." In the role, Dow helped create the archetype of a suburban nuclear family and became a household name to millions of viewers. The show ran from 1957 to 1963.
In a January interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Dow recalled learning over a hamburger and malt that he was offered the part after auditioning on a whim.
"There went my life," he said.
Wally Cleaver, the straight-arrow teenage son, star athlete and Boy Scout, became inextricably tied to Dow, who said he struggled to stand on his own.
"It's sad to be famous at 12 years old or something, and then you grow up and become a real person, and nothing's happened for you," he told CBS.
Dow, who said he experienced undiagnosed depression from age 20 to age 40, spoke out for decades about his mental health challenges, long before it was common for celebrities to disclose that information publicly. In 1993, he was an honorary speaker at a convention for the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association.
"I realize there's a perceived irony about this," he told the Baltimore Sun of his depression in 1993. "You know, the fact that I was in a TV program that epitomized the supposed ideal world of the '50s, and here I'm suffering from depression. But I'm just one of millions."
Dow told CBS that once he accepted his diagnosis and began treatment, he found hope. He channeled that hope into art, too, sculpting ornate pieces at his home studio.
"I think people should take the leap of faith that they can feel better," he said.
Dow continued to work in Hollywood, taking parts in TV series and even reprising his role in "The New Leave It to Beaver" in the 1980s. He also directed episodes of series like "Harry and the Hendersons," "Coach" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."
Jerry Mathers, who starred opposite Dow as Beaver on their hit sitcom, told fans earlier this month that he'd been in contact with Dow, whose managers said had been "in and out of the hospital with various complications and treatments."
Bilotta and James, Dow's management team, thanked their client for his work, "for the reflections of a simpler time, the laughter, the friendship and for the feeling that you were a big brother to us all."

Caroline13 · 07-26-2022, 01:59 PM

It seems like a celeb death is announced daily and my mind wanders for the more reasons since early 2020.....

Rest in Peace, Tony.

Just hearing on my radio, Tony is not dead but in hospice...continue to hear this, and he has
battled cancer for years.

TVLegend · 07-26-2022, 04:51 PM

Well, I still hope that he is able to be in peace, dead or alive.

Merry24 · 07-26-2022, 04:55 PM

TVLegend said it best!!

Dude111 · 07-26-2022, 05:30 PM

We love you Wally!!!!!!!

GentlemanJim · 07-26-2022, 07:10 PM

I feel deeply scared by this "Wally's Dead" hoax. It felt like a piece was cut right out of me.

stevea · 07-26-2022, 08:22 PM

Evidently his wife, Lauren, thought he had passed.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/le...ted/ar-AAZZNDV

Bonniegirl · 07-26-2022, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I feel deeply scared by this "Wally's Dead" hoax. It felt like a piece was cut right out of me.

Not really a " hoax" per se'! Tony really does have late stage cancer and most likely ( sadly) won't be here much longer!

What is strange is why his wife reported his death ?, maybe she is so distraught she really thought he had passed away and was just sleeping ?! He must be in really bad shape for her to think that! So very sad !!

Bonniegirl · 07-26-2022, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Evidently his wife, Lauren, thought he had passed.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/le...ted/ar-AAZZNDV

It has been a really sad eerie day for me upon hearing of Tony's death and than that he hasn't passed but is very ill! I think we all are feeling this right now !

GentlemanJim · 07-26-2022, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Not really a " hoax" per se'!

Typically, the aggrieved gets to set the bar on whether or not we feel violated.

(you know the drill)

stevea · 07-26-2022, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

It has been a really sad eerie day for me upon hearing of Tony's death and than that he hasn't passed but is very ill! I think we all are feeling this right now !

Yes, so true.

Dude111 · 07-27-2022, 03:52 PM

Wow he really didnt die??

I hope your gonna be ok Wally

07-26-2022, 12:25 PM	#1
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,042	Leave it to Beaver's Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver) (1945-2022) Post
	Last edited by Merry24; 07-26-2022 at 04:56 PM.

07-26-2022, 01:11 PM	#3
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Liver cancer got my mom at age 77 too.
	__________________ On my word as a gentleman!

07-26-2022, 01:15 PM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	Verified https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/26/enter...bit/index.html (CNN)Tony Dow, an actor and director best known for his role as older brother Wally Cleaver on "Leave It to Beaver," died Tuesday, according to his representatives. He was 77. "It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning," Frank Bilotta and Renee James, Dow's managers, announced in a statement. "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 was immediately comforting and you could not help but love him. No cause of death was shared, but Dow revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Dow was thrust into stardom at age 12, when he was cast on the soon-to-be-smash sitcom "Leave It to Beaver." In the role, Dow helped create the archetype of a suburban nuclear family and became a household name to millions of viewers. The show ran from 1957 to 1963. In a January interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Dow recalled learning over a hamburger and malt that he was offered the part after auditioning on a whim. "There went my life," he said. Wally Cleaver, the straight-arrow teenage son, star athlete and Boy Scout, became inextricably tied to Dow, who said he struggled to stand on his own. "It's sad to be famous at 12 years old or something, and then you grow up and become a real person, and nothing's happened for you," he told CBS. Dow, who said he experienced undiagnosed depression from age 20 to age 40, spoke out for decades about his mental health challenges, long before it was common for celebrities to disclose that information publicly. In 1993, he was an honorary speaker at a convention for the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association. "I realize there's a perceived irony about this," he told the Baltimore Sun of his depression in 1993. "You know, the fact that I was in a TV program that epitomized the supposed ideal world of the '50s, and here I'm suffering from depression. But I'm just one of millions." Dow told CBS that once he accepted his diagnosis and began treatment, he found hope. He channeled that hope into art, too, sculpting ornate pieces at his home studio. "I think people should take the leap of faith that they can feel better," he said. Dow continued to work in Hollywood, taking parts in TV series and even reprising his role in "The New Leave It to Beaver" in the 1980s. He also directed episodes of series like "Harry and the Hendersons," "Coach" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Jerry Mathers, who starred opposite Dow as Beaver on their hit sitcom, told fans earlier this month that he'd been in contact with Dow, whose managers said had been "in and out of the hospital with various complications and treatments." Bilotta and James, Dow's management team, thanked their client for his work, "for the reflections of a simpler time, the laughter, the friendship and for the feeling that you were a big brother to us all."

07-26-2022, 01:59 PM	#5
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	It seems like a celeb death is announced daily and my mind wanders for the more reasons since early 2020..... Rest in Peace, Tony. Just hearing on my radio, Tony is not dead but in hospice...continue to hear this, and he has battled cancer for years.
	__________________ Inexpensive Health Insurance = Grape Seed Extract Keep It Simple Last edited by Caroline13; 07-26-2022 at 04:33 PM.

07-26-2022, 12:51 PM	#2
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	RIP, Tony. Cancer’s a bitch.

07-26-2022, 04:51 PM	#6
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	Well, I still hope that he is able to be in peace, dead or alive.

07-26-2022, 04:55 PM	#7
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,042	TVLegend said it best!!

07-26-2022, 05:30 PM	#8
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,334	We love you Wally!!!!!!!

07-26-2022, 07:10 PM	#9
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	I feel deeply scared by this "Wally's Dead" hoax. It felt like a piece was cut right out of me.

07-26-2022, 08:22 PM	#10
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,701	Evidently his wife, Lauren, thought he had passed. https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/le...ted/ar-AAZZNDV

07-27-2022, 03:52 PM	#15
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,334	Wow he really didnt die?? I hope your gonna be ok Wally