Tony Dow, Wally on 'Leave It to Beaver,' Dies at 77

[Faygo Kid]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: The Wrap

Actor Tony Dow, best known as older brother Wally Cleaver on the 1950s sitcom “Leave it to Beaver,” died Tuesday at age 77.

A statement shared to Facebook on his official site read: “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. The world has lost an amazing human being, but we are all richer for the memories that he has left us.”

No cause of death was announced, but Dow revealed his cancer diagnosis in May. A joint statement from Dow and his wife “Lauren Shulkind read, “Dear Friends & Fans of Tony Dow, I have some very sad news to share with you. Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer. He is approaching this reality so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking.”

Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/tony-dow-wally-on-leave-it-to-beaver-dies-at-77/

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I had such a crush on him, way back then. R.I.P.

[TNNurse]

4. Oh, so did I.

[tavernier]

20. Me too. Wrote for his photo and autograph

And when it arrived I squeeled in glee. I think I was 13.
It was signed in Aqua blue ink, same color as his eyes (I surmised). I still have it.

[LisaM]

2. Sorry to hear it.

I knew about the diagnosis and it didn't sound terribly encouraging.

[JohnnyRingo]

3. Never missed an episode.

..Unless the Old Man was on the roof twisting the antenna around to get a Pittsburgh baseball game.

"Gee Wally, no one is going to be happy to hear this news."
"Well Beav, sometimes you have to eat your peas so you be strong and go on."

My condolences.

[Upthevibe]

5. I just loved him. Here's a good segment on him on the

T.V. show, Sunday Morning.

R.I.P.

[Pinback]

15. Nice profile - thanks.

His art is engaging and inspiring, especially knowing about his struggles. He and his wife seem like people you’d be lucky to know.

[mountain grammy]

16. Thanks so much for posting this

nice to see it again. He was a good guy..

[Mr. Evil]

6. RIP Tony (Wally).

One of my favorite shows of all time. One of the good guys. Just too damn sad.

[DownriverDem]

7. So sad

RIP This hit me hard.

[Archae]

8. That's the third one.

There was David Warner dying a couple days ago, and Paul Sorvino yesterday.

Tony Dow was the third.

[PlanetBev]

9. Met him and his wife at my niece's Bat Mitzvah in 1999

He was a friend of my brother. I remember my dad teasing him, saying ”You look so familiar….don’t I know you from somewhere?” Tony was a very nice but shy gentleman.

[iluvtennis]

10. Rest in Peace Tony Dow and May your Memory be a Blessing. n/t

[PSPS]

11. "Good old days"

[Beartracks]

12. Aw, geez, Wally.

RIP.



=============

[SKKY]

13. My favorite TV show as a kid. Loved it...

...And if I'm being honest, was a bit sad when my kids didn't take to it as I did. Sad.

[BigBearJohn]

14. I admired Wally as a kid. Wished I had a cool brother like him

R.I.P.

[ificandream]

17. Still love watching that show.

Today, it's fun. But back then, it was kind of a lesson learned watching the various episodes. Met Jerry Mathers several years ago. It was just like meeting the Beaver.

[colorado_ufo]

18. Wasn't he also a champion diver?

[Wednesdays]

21. Yeah. According to the article

he was a Junior Olympics champion.

[Marthe48]

19. He's in hospice

I just heard on CBS radio news but I don't see a link. The news person said they had been in touch with his family and he has gone into hospice care.

I can't find a verification.

[twodogsbarking]

23. But it was on Facebook. I saw it too. That he was still living, that is.

[Marthe48]

24. I didn't look on fb.

I found a story on a news site I'm not familiar with. Said his team had posted on fb, but his wife talked to a news agency and explained he was in hospice. Poor guy.

[Kablooie]

22. Bye, Big Brother

[Bev54]

25. Is he dead? I have read that it was a mistake and the post has been taken down

He is in hospice and in bad shape but apparently still alive at this moment. Not sure what is true anymore.

[GReedDiamond]

26. According to this msn.com story, he's not deceased yet...

...posted around 41 minutes ago.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/emmys/tony-dow-alive-wife-and-management-team-announced-death-in-error/ar-AAZZQEo?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=43eafe39e1904548ae4fde25b964b24b

[Rebl2]

27. Just saw

an update that said he didn’t die.

[2live is 2fly]

28. They run these twice a day, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 & 8:30am

Going to miss not just the wisdom that Wally would pass along to the Beav, but the way he'd pass it along too. Could only be done through the magic of television.

UPDATE: Just heard that Tony Dow (WALLY CLEAVER) did not kick-off, so that is great news. HEY WAIT A SECOND, IS EDDY HASKEL BEHIND THIS?

[nightthinker]

29. He's still alive...

Tweets about his death were premature.

[Beartracks]

30. Aw, geez, Wally.

=============

[Rebl2]

31. This should be taken down

His reported death is premature. He is supposedly in hospice.

[Omaha Steve]

32. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

It has been widely reported Tony is alive, but in hospice.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142947816