Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver in 'Leave It to Beaver', dies at 77
Actor and director Tony Dow, best known for playing Jerry Mathers Beaver's older brother Wally Cleaver in the iconic series "Leave It to Beaver", has died. He was 77 years old.
His official Facebook page posted that he passed away on Tuesday morning. "It is with a very heavy heart that we are sharing with you this morning about the passing of our dear Tony.
Tony was a beautiful soul – kind, kind, funny and humble,” read the message from his management team.
Dow and his wife, Lauren, announced in May that their cancer, which they had been diagnosed with years earlier, had returned.
Dow was born in Hollywood and his mother was an early stunt woman and double for Clara Bow.
He was a junior Olympic diving champion, but when he tagged with a friend and ended up auditioning for the role of Wally and winning, he didn't have much showbiz experience.
"Leave It to Beaver" began airing in 1957 and lasted until 1963.
The popular black-and-white sitcom, which centered around the typical ideal family of the time, followed the adventures of the mischievous young Beaver.