Barbara Billingsley - RIP - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Benno123 · 10-16-2010, 04:19 PM

I just received a message on Facebook from Stu Shostak at Shokus Radio saying that Barbara Billingsley passed away around 2am last night. I looked on line and did not see anything about this yet, but below is the message he sent from the Skokus Radio Page on Facebook:

Quote:

Just received word that America's favorite TV mom, Barbara Billingsley (June Cleaver on "Leave it to Beaver") passed away peacefully last night around 2 a.m.

I had the pleasure of working with Barbara on an episode of "Silver Spoons" back in 1984, right before she and the rest of the Beaver cast were to start work on the new "Still the Beaver" series. She was a warm, delightful lady and will be sorely missed. Unfortunately her health over the past few years made it impossible for her to appear on any of our radio broadcasts with Tony Dow, Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, and Jerry Mathers, but we discussed her in each and every program...and we also have the wonderful Shout! Factory DVD box set of the series that I had the good fortune to work on this past year. It contains one of the last interviews Barbara did regarding the classic program.

I'm told the funeral will be this coming Wednesday. Barbara leaves behind her two sons and millions and millions of fans everywhere.

Stu .

Mr. Television · 10-16-2010, 04:44 PM

They did have her death listed on wikipedia a few minutes ago but now it's gone. I noticed a lot of the twitter pages on google saying she died. I'm sure it'll be up soon if it's true.

Zoneboy · 10-16-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

They did have her death listed on wikipedia a few minutes ago but now it's gone. I noticed a lot of the twitter pages on google saying she died. I'm sure it'll be up soon if it's true.

I checked Wikipedia also and saw nothing.

Mr. Television · 10-16-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I checked Wikipedia also and saw nothing.

I don't know how reliable Twitter is but it does have a headline over there but that's it.

http://twitter.com/BreakingNews

Zoneboy · 10-16-2010, 04:57 PM

Link

The actress who some believe to have personified the quintessential TV mom has died. Barbara Billingsley, star of Leave It to Beaver, passed away early this morning at the age of 94. The exact cause of death is not known but she had been in poor health for some time.

Born in Los Angeles to Robert Collyer Combes, a police chief, and Lillian A. Combes, she was the youngest of three children. Billingsley’s parents divorced while she was still a child and she fell in love with drama in school.

After spending a year at a Los Angeles junior college, Billingsley went to Broadway as part of the Straw Hat revue. It quickly closed but she stayed in New York and worked as a fashion model. In 1945, she landed a contract with MGM and appeared in a number of small roles in movies until the mid-1950s. Those led her to be cast in several TV programs of the day.

In 1957, Billingsley was signed to play June Cleaver, the mother on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom, and received top billing over Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont, and Jerry Mathers. The show initially aired on CBS but, after one season, moved to ABC and ran for five more years. The series ended on its own terms and was one of the few of that era to have a series finale. In the last episode, June is cleaning and comes across a photo album. The Cleaver clan ends up recounting experiences they’ve had together via clips from earlier episodes.

Barbara BillinglseyAfter that, Billingsley was typecast as the perfect mother and found it difficult to land other roles for several years. She guest-starred on a number of shows over the years, sometimes in her Leave It to Beaver persona. Billingsley also voiced the “Nanny” caretaker of the Muppet Babies characters on that animated series for 107 episodes. Billingsley found new notariety by playing the “jive lady” in the first Airplane! movie.

In 1983, she joined most of the original Beaver cast for the Still the Beaver reunion movie on CBS. That led to a whole new Beaver sitcom called The New Leave It to Beaver. That lasted for 104 episodes and Billingsley’s character was now an active widowed grandmother who became a member of the Mayfield City Council.

One of Billingsely’s last on-screen roles was in a cameo as Aunt Martha in 1997′s Leave It to Beaver feature film. Other original TV castmembers, Ken Osmond and Frank Bank, had small roles as well.

Billingsley was married three times and her last husband died in 1981. She is survived by two sons, several grandchildren, and generations of grateful TV viewers.

Brian Damage · 10-16-2010, 04:59 PM

http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/le...ey-died-18768/

The actress who some believe to have personified the quintessential TV mom has died. Barbara Billingsley, star of Leave It to Beaver, passed away early this morning at the age of 94. The exact cause of death is not known but she had been in poor health for some time.

Born in Los Angeles to Robert Collyer Combes, a police chief, and Lillian A. Combes, she was the youngest of three children. Billingsley’s parents divorced while she was still a child and she fell in love with drama in school.

After spending a year at a Los Angeles junior college, Billingsley went to Broadway as part of the Straw Hat revue. It quickly closed but she stayed in New York and worked as a fashion model. In 1945, she landed a contract with MGM and appeared in a number of small roles in movies until the mid-1950s. Those led her to be cast in several TV programs of the day.

In 1957, Billingsley was signed to play June Cleaver, the mother on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom, and received top billing over Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont, and Jerry Mathers. The show initially aired on CBS but, after one season, moved to ABC and ran for five more years. The series ended on its own terms and was one of the few of that era to have a series finale. In the last episode, June is cleaning and comes across a photo album. The Cleaver clan ends up recounting experiences they’ve had together via clips from earlier episodes.

Mr. Television · 10-16-2010, 05:04 PM

Here's another one.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ry?id=11898270

Barbara Billingsley, Beaver Cleaver's TV Mom, Dies
Barbara Billingsley, best known as the 'perfect mom' on TV's 'Leave it to Beaver,' dies at 94
The Associated Press

By BOB THOMAS Associated Press Writer
SANTA MONICA, Calif. October 16, 2010 (AP)

Barbara Billingsley, who gained the title supermom for her gentle portrayal of June Cleaver, the warm, supportive mother of a pair of precocious boys in "Leave it to Beaver," has died. She was 94.

Spokeswoman Judy Twersky says Billingsley died early Saturday at her home in Santa Monica. She had suffered from a rheumatoid disease.

She acted in a number of roles in movies from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s, but it wasn't until "Leave it to Beaver" that she became a star.

When the show debuted in 1957, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, was 9, and Tony Dow, who portrayed Wally, was 12. Billingsley's character, the perfect stay-at-home 1950s mom, was always there to gently but firmly nurture both through the ups and downs of childhood.

Mr. Television · 10-16-2010, 05:06 PM

So very sad. She was the perfect tv Mom. I started watching LITB reruns in the 1970's and it became one of my favorite shows at the time.

McGillicuddy · 10-16-2010, 06:45 PM

They just reported her passing on NBC News. RIP Mrs. Cleaver.

catlover79 · 10-16-2010, 07:32 PM

Loved her as Mrs. Cleaver, Nanny in the Muppet Babies, and of course the Jive Lady in Airplane. God bless you, Barbara Billingsley - you will be deeply missed!!!

Mr. Television · 10-16-2010, 08:01 PM

http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/16/barbar...-it-to-beaver/

The Beaver 'Saddened' by Death of Barbara Billingsley

10/16/2010 3:15 PM PDT by TMZ Staff

Jerry Mathers, who played The Beaver on "Leave It to Beaver" just gave this statement to TMZ on the passing of Barbara Billingsley:

1016_jerry_mathers_barbara_billingsley_getty_ex
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and lifetime mentor Barbara Billingsley. She will live in the hearts of her fans as a wonderful actress and be remembered by her friends as a gracious lady. Barbara was a patient advisor and teacher. She helped me along this challenging journey through life by showing me the importance of manners, and respect for others. She will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, fans and most especially by me."

As for Jerry, he also tells TMZ he's "excited to be getting married in January at the Waterfront Hilton in Huntington Beach."

Rezny@gmail.com · 10-16-2010, 08:14 PM

And the last scene in 1983's CBS/Universal TV movie "Still the Beaver",where June (Billingsley)says she is going to sell the house(the house used in the 1959-1963 years of the series)to Beaver,(Mathers)and his kids,and the two of them embracing each other happily tells it all.RIP ,Miss B.

Cincy Guy · 10-16-2010, 08:25 PM

To paraphrase Eddie Haskell:

"Gosh, Mrs. Cleaver...you were certainly a great mom and friend in all of those episodes".

R.I.P.

VirginiaCreeper · 10-16-2010, 09:12 PM

This is the only celebrity death in recent times that made me want to cry.

ABlairican Pie · 10-16-2010, 09:17 PM

June Cleaver was always the mom we never had. She was the coolest.

10-16-2010, 04:44 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	They did have her death listed on wikipedia a few minutes ago but now it's gone. I noticed a lot of the twitter pages on google saying she died. I'm sure it'll be up soon if it's true.
	__________________ Sonny

10-16-2010, 04:57 PM	#5
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: 34,338	Another source: Link The actress who some believe to have personified the quintessential TV mom has died. Barbara Billingsley, star of Leave It to Beaver, passed away early this morning at the age of 94. The exact cause of death is not known but she had been in poor health for some time. Born in Los Angeles to Robert Collyer Combes, a police chief, and Lillian A. Combes, she was the youngest of three children. Billingsley’s parents divorced while she was still a child and she fell in love with drama in school. After spending a year at a Los Angeles junior college, Billingsley went to Broadway as part of the Straw Hat revue. It quickly closed but she stayed in New York and worked as a fashion model. In 1945, she landed a contract with MGM and appeared in a number of small roles in movies until the mid-1950s. Those led her to be cast in several TV programs of the day. In 1957, Billingsley was signed to play June Cleaver, the mother on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom, and received top billing over Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont, and Jerry Mathers. The show initially aired on CBS but, after one season, moved to ABC and ran for five more years. The series ended on its own terms and was one of the few of that era to have a series finale. In the last episode, June is cleaning and comes across a photo album. The Cleaver clan ends up recounting experiences they’ve had together via clips from earlier episodes. Barbara BillinglseyAfter that, Billingsley was typecast as the perfect mother and found it difficult to land other roles for several years. She guest-starred on a number of shows over the years, sometimes in her Leave It to Beaver persona. Billingsley also voiced the “Nanny” caretaker of the Muppet Babies characters on that animated series for 107 episodes. Billingsley found new notariety by playing the “jive lady” in the first Airplane! movie. In 1983, she joined most of the original Beaver cast for the Still the Beaver reunion movie on CBS. That led to a whole new Beaver sitcom called The New Leave It to Beaver. That lasted for 104 episodes and Billingsley’s character was now an active widowed grandmother who became a member of the Mayfield City Council. One of Billingsely’s last on-screen roles was in a cameo as Aunt Martha in 1997′s Leave It to Beaver feature film. Other original TV castmembers, Ken Osmond and Frank Bank, had small roles as well. Billingsley was married three times and her last husband died in 1981. She is survived by two sons, several grandchildren, and generations of grateful TV viewers.

10-16-2010, 04:59 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/le...ey-died-18768/ The actress who some believe to have personified the quintessential TV mom has died. Barbara Billingsley, star of Leave It to Beaver, passed away early this morning at the age of 94. The exact cause of death is not known but she had been in poor health for some time. Born in Los Angeles to Robert Collyer Combes, a police chief, and Lillian A. Combes, she was the youngest of three children. Billingsley’s parents divorced while she was still a child and she fell in love with drama in school. After spending a year at a Los Angeles junior college, Billingsley went to Broadway as part of the Straw Hat revue. It quickly closed but she stayed in New York and worked as a fashion model. In 1945, she landed a contract with MGM and appeared in a number of small roles in movies until the mid-1950s. Those led her to be cast in several TV programs of the day. In 1957, Billingsley was signed to play June Cleaver, the mother on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom, and received top billing over Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont, and Jerry Mathers. The show initially aired on CBS but, after one season, moved to ABC and ran for five more years. The series ended on its own terms and was one of the few of that era to have a series finale. In the last episode, June is cleaning and comes across a photo album. The Cleaver clan ends up recounting experiences they’ve had together via clips from earlier episodes.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

10-16-2010, 07:32 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Loved her as Mrs. Cleaver, Nanny in the Muppet Babies, and of course the Jive Lady in Airplane. God bless you, Barbara Billingsley - you will be deeply missed!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-16-2010, 09:17 PM	#15
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,621	June Cleaver was always the mom we never had. She was the coolest.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

10-16-2010, 05:04 PM	#7
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Here's another one. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ry?id=11898270 Barbara Billingsley, Beaver Cleaver's TV Mom, Dies Barbara Billingsley, best known as the 'perfect mom' on TV's 'Leave it to Beaver,' dies at 94 The Associated Press By BOB THOMAS Associated Press Writer SANTA MONICA, Calif. October 16, 2010 (AP) Barbara Billingsley, who gained the title supermom for her gentle portrayal of June Cleaver, the warm, supportive mother of a pair of precocious boys in "Leave it to Beaver," has died. She was 94. Spokeswoman Judy Twersky says Billingsley died early Saturday at her home in Santa Monica. She had suffered from a rheumatoid disease. She acted in a number of roles in movies from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s, but it wasn't until "Leave it to Beaver" that she became a star. When the show debuted in 1957, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, was 9, and Tony Dow, who portrayed Wally, was 12. Billingsley's character, the perfect stay-at-home 1950s mom, was always there to gently but firmly nurture both through the ups and downs of childhood.

10-16-2010, 05:06 PM	#8
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	So very sad. She was the perfect tv Mom. I started watching LITB reruns in the 1970's and it became one of my favorite shows at the time.

10-16-2010, 06:45 PM	#9
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	They just reported her passing on NBC News. RIP Mrs. Cleaver.

10-16-2010, 08:01 PM	#11
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/16/barbar...-it-to-beaver/ The Beaver 'Saddened' by Death of Barbara Billingsley 10/16/2010 3:15 PM PDT by TMZ Staff Jerry Mathers, who played The Beaver on "Leave It to Beaver" just gave this statement to TMZ on the passing of Barbara Billingsley: 1016_jerry_mathers_barbara_billingsley_getty_ex "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and lifetime mentor Barbara Billingsley. She will live in the hearts of her fans as a wonderful actress and be remembered by her friends as a gracious lady. Barbara was a patient advisor and teacher. She helped me along this challenging journey through life by showing me the importance of manners, and respect for others. She will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, fans and most especially by me." As for Jerry, he also tells TMZ he's "excited to be getting married in January at the Waterfront Hilton in Huntington Beach."

10-16-2010, 08:14 PM	#12
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	And the last scene in 1983's CBS/Universal TV movie "Still the Beaver",where June (Billingsley)says she is going to sell the house(the house used in the 1959-1963 years of the series)to Beaver,(Mathers)and his kids,and the two of them embracing each other happily tells it all.RIP ,Miss B.

10-16-2010, 08:25 PM	#13
Cincy Guy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 230	To paraphrase Eddie Haskell: "Gosh, Mrs. Cleaver...you were certainly a great mom and friend in all of those episodes". R.I.P.

10-16-2010, 09:12 PM	#14
VirginiaCreeper Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Oct 03, 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 4	This is the only celebrity death in recent times that made me want to cry.