1 of 1- RadioActive
- Moderator
Online! 
Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
The brother Beaver Cleaver always went to for advice is gone. Tony Dow, who played Wally in the iconic "Leave It To Beaver" TV series, passed away Tuesday, not long after announcing he was fighting cancer.
Dow's acting career wasn't all that successful after Beaver was cancelled, although he recreated his legendary big brother role in several sequel movies. But he never left the business, pivoting behind the camera as a fairly well-known director.
Another touchstone from some of our youth disappears. Dow was 77, although he'll be forever young in reruns.
Tony Dow, Wally Cleaver on ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ dies at 77
[img](jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/CVY3PKNCBNDZZHZG5A3EXNLJQE.jpg[/img]
- Media Observer
- Member
Offline
Re: Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
Now TVLine is reporting that he is alive:
Tony Dow Alive: Leave It To Beaver Star Not Dead — False Statement | TVLine
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Online!
Re: Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
Wow, how did his people get that so wrong? Incredible. I fear, however, that the inevitable is coming and soon given his frail health and illness. Deadline (ironic name of the site notwithstanding) says he's under hospice care and is said to be near death. Sadly, it appears to be only a matter of time.
"Dow’s son, Christopher Dow, told Fox News, “This is a difficult time. Yes, he is still alive, but in his last hours; under hospice care.”
- •
Thread Starter- RadioActive
- Moderator
Online!
Re: Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
This kind of thing has happened before. In 1988, a U.S. congressman told his colleagues in the House that Bob Hope had died and issued a long heartfelt tribute to the comic icon.
Problem was Hope was home having breakfast and watching the morning news when he heard that he was gone.
A few years ago, a news bulletin was put out that Gordon Lightfoot had passed away. I believe he called a local Toronto radio station to confirm that he was still very much alive - as he is to this day, with plans to perform at the CNE in August.
And ironically, the story goes that actress Shelley Winters announced on the Tonight Show that Jerry Mathers, aka Beaver Cleaver, had died while fighting in Vietnam. The story spread like wildfire but of course it wasn't true - Mathers is still very much with us and has made a career exploiting his famous TV past.
Snopes.com insists there's no proof that Winters ever appeared on the Carson Show during the time in question, and that the confusion came after a soldier with the last name Mathers was reported killed in combat and people immediately jumped to conclusions.
- •
Thread Starter- Media Observer
- Member
Offline
Re: Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
RadioActive wrote:
Wow, how did his people get that so wrong? Incredible. I fear, however, that the inevitable is coming and soon given his frail health and illness. Deadline (ironic name of the site notwithstanding) says he's under hospice care and is said to be near death. Sadly, it appears to be only a matter of time.
"Dow’s son, Christopher Dow, told Fox News, “This is a difficult time. Yes, he is still alive, but in his last hours; under hospice care.”
Your take on the story is correct. My mother was moved to hospice care for her final days. God bless those who staff such facilities, however the end is near.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Online!
Re: Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
This was hastily put up and then taken down from Mathers' Facebook page. Unfortunately, I'm sure it will be back up soon.
- •
Thread Starter- Media Observer
- Member
Offline
Re: Tony Dow, aka Wally Cleaver, Dies In Hospice Care
Regretfully, he has now passed away:
Tony Dow Dead — Actor’s Death Confirmed After False Report | TVLine