Tony Dow (1945-2022) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Merry24 · 07-26-2022, 12:44 PM

Post.

stevearino · 07-26-2022, 12:46 PM

https://www.tmz.com/2022/07/26/leave...d-dies-cancer/

Tony Dow, best known for his iconic sitcom role as Wally Cleaver on the hit '50s sitcom "Leave It To Beaver," has died at age 77 after a 2-month battle with Liver Cancer, presumably at his home in his native Los Angeles, California.

Tony Lee Dow was born on April 13, 1945 in Los Angeles, California and was an avid lifeguard upon being cast in the role of a lifetime as Wally Cleaver on TV's "Leave It To Beaver," appearing on all 234 episodes over the course of its 6-year run on the ABC Television Network from October 4, 1957 - June 20, 1963.

The series initially aired on CBS during its first season from October 1957 - March 1958, but was cancelled by CBS due to poor ratings, after which ABC picked up the series for the Fall 1958 TV season, with ABC airing the series permanently afterwards until Jerry Mathers decided to retire from acting.

Like Jerry Mathers as The Beaver, Tony reprised his role as Wally on a 4-year '80s revival "Still the Beaver," initially on Disney Channel (licensing the show from its distributor Universal Studios Television) before being picked up by TBS as "The New Leave It To Beaver" before airing its 100th and last show in 1989, after which Tony went Behind-the-Camera as a series director on a number of hit '80s & '90s sitcoms such as "Coach," all the while battling Clinical Depression, a Mental Illness I believe was diagnosed as an adult.

Tony is survived by his wife since 1980, Lauren Shulkind, as well as 2 grown children, including a son, Chris, with ex-wife Carol Marlow, whom he was married to from 1969 til they divorced in 1980, just before he & Lauren wed.

He's also survived by 6 young grandchildren.

RIP Tony Dow!!!

04/13/1945 - 07/26/2022

GentlemanJim · 07-26-2022, 01:08 PM

I feel as though I've lost a family member. I was the same age as beaver when I first became familiar with LITB via syndication. So I grew up looking up to "Wally".

Tankeryanker · 07-26-2022, 01:27 PM

No! No, no, no. Not him. No.

Mr. Television · 07-26-2022, 01:28 PM

R.I.P. Tony. You will be missed.

biffbronson · 07-26-2022, 01:39 PM

Sorry to hear... we've lost so many of the adult TV actors of the 1950s and 60s, it's especially sad when the children of those series pass on as well. Tony had been getting closer to 2023, which will mark 60 years since LITB ended.

Bonniegirl · 07-26-2022, 01:43 PM

Very sad! I had heard he was battling cancer, but was praying he would recover .So sad to hear of his passing .

It does feel like we lost an old friend or a Brother !

May he rest in peace !

MA · 07-26-2022, 02:05 PM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1426384&type=3

It is with the utmost sadness I learned this morning of my co-star and lifelong friend Tony Dow’s passing. He was not only my brother on tv, but in many ways in life as well. Tony leaves an empty place in my heart that won’t be filled. He was always the kindest, most generous, gentle, loving, sincere, and humble man, that it was my honor and privilege to be able to share memories together with for 65 years. Tony was so grateful for all of the love and support from our fans across the world. My wife Teresa and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Lauren, his family and to all of those who knew and loved him. The world may have lost a star today, but the heavens gained another.
--Jerry Mathers

Willbo · 07-26-2022, 02:19 PM

RIP Tony. Thanks for being part of our lives.

Svenfan1234 · 07-26-2022, 02:37 PM

Svenfan1234 · 07-26-2022, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Very sad! I had heard he was battling cancer, but was praying he would recover .So sad to hear of his passing .

It does feel like we lost an old friend or a Brother !

May he rest in peace !

I was hoping he would recover too

I thought he would with all the advancements in medicine we’ve had but sadly, he couldn’t

He was great and will be missed terribly.

PhoenixAcres · 07-26-2022, 03:09 PM

Very sad news.

RIP Tony Dow

TVLegend · 07-26-2022, 03:35 PM

RIP.

Torgo · 07-26-2022, 03:38 PM

One of my favorite older brothers. I had just watched The Paper Route last night.

Torgo · 07-26-2022, 03:53 PM

.

07-26-2022, 12:44 PM	#1
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,042	Tony Dow (1945-2022) Post.
	Last edited by Merry24; 07-26-2022 at 05:01 PM.

07-26-2022, 12:46 PM	#2
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	RIP Tony Dow https://www.tmz.com/2022/07/26/leave...d-dies-cancer/ Tony Dow, best known for his iconic sitcom role as Wally Cleaver on the hit '50s sitcom "Leave It To Beaver," has died at age 77 after a 2-month battle with Liver Cancer, presumably at his home in his native Los Angeles, California. Tony Lee Dow was born on April 13, 1945 in Los Angeles, California and was an avid lifeguard upon being cast in the role of a lifetime as Wally Cleaver on TV's "Leave It To Beaver," appearing on all 234 episodes over the course of its 6-year run on the ABC Television Network from October 4, 1957 - June 20, 1963. The series initially aired on CBS during its first season from October 1957 - March 1958, but was cancelled by CBS due to poor ratings, after which ABC picked up the series for the Fall 1958 TV season, with ABC airing the series permanently afterwards until Jerry Mathers decided to retire from acting. Like Jerry Mathers as The Beaver, Tony reprised his role as Wally on a 4-year '80s revival "Still the Beaver," initially on Disney Channel (licensing the show from its distributor Universal Studios Television) before being picked up by TBS as "The New Leave It To Beaver" before airing its 100th and last show in 1989, after which Tony went Behind-the-Camera as a series director on a number of hit '80s & '90s sitcoms such as "Coach," all the while battling Clinical Depression, a Mental Illness I believe was diagnosed as an adult. Tony is survived by his wife since 1980, Lauren Shulkind, as well as 2 grown children, including a son, Chris, with ex-wife Carol Marlow, whom he was married to from 1969 til they divorced in 1980, just before he & Lauren wed. He's also survived by 6 young grandchildren. RIP Tony Dow!!! 04/13/1945 - 07/26/2022

07-26-2022, 01:08 PM	#3
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	I feel as though I've lost a family member. I was the same age as beaver when I first became familiar with LITB via syndication. So I grew up looking up to "Wally".
	__________________ On my word as a gentleman!

07-26-2022, 01:28 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	R.I.P. Tony. You will be missed.
	__________________ Sonny

07-26-2022, 02:05 PM	#8
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,589	https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1426384&type=3 It is with the utmost sadness I learned this morning of my co-star and lifelong friend Tony Dow’s passing. He was not only my brother on tv, but in many ways in life as well. Tony leaves an empty place in my heart that won’t be filled. He was always the kindest, most generous, gentle, loving, sincere, and humble man, that it was my honor and privilege to be able to share memories together with for 65 years. Tony was so grateful for all of the love and support from our fans across the world. My wife Teresa and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Lauren, his family and to all of those who knew and loved him. The world may have lost a star today, but the heavens gained another. --Jerry Mathers
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

07-26-2022, 01:27 PM	#4
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,049	No! No, no, no. Not him. No.

07-26-2022, 01:39 PM	#6
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	Sorry to hear... we've lost so many of the adult TV actors of the 1950s and 60s, it's especially sad when the children of those series pass on as well. Tony had been getting closer to 2023, which will mark 60 years since LITB ended.

07-26-2022, 01:43 PM	#7
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,795	Very sad! I had heard he was battling cancer, but was praying he would recover .So sad to hear of his passing . It does feel like we lost an old friend or a Brother ! May he rest in peace !

07-26-2022, 02:19 PM	#9
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 863	RIP Tony. Thanks for being part of our lives.

07-26-2022, 02:37 PM	#10
Svenfan1234 Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 12, 2015 Posts: 11,200
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07-26-2022, 03:09 PM	#12
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Very sad news. RIP Tony Dow

07-26-2022, 03:35 PM	#13
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	RIP.

07-26-2022, 03:38 PM	#14
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,036	One of my favorite older brothers. I had just watched The Paper Route last night.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

07-26-2022, 03:53 PM	#15
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,036	. Attached Images