RIP Tony Dow

[DavidR]

 

Tony Lee Dow (April 13, 1945 – July 27, 2022) was an American actor, film producer, director, and sculptor. He is best known for his role as Wally Cleaver in the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver from 1957 to 1963. From 1983 to 1989, Dow reprised his role as Wally in a television movie and in The New Leave It to Beaver.

With almost no acting experience, Dow's career began when he went on a casting call and landed the role of Wally Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver. For the show's entire run, from 1957 to 1963, he played the older son of June (played by Barbara Billingsley) and Ward (played by Hugh Beaumont) Cleaver, and the older brother of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (played by Jerry Mathers).
Dow with his Leave It to Beaver co-stars: Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Billingsley and Jerry Mathers, circa 1959

After Leave it to Beaver, Dow appeared on other television shows, including My Three Sons, Dr. Kildare, The Greatest Show on Earth, Never Too Young, and on five episodes of Mr. Novak in three different roles. Then, from 1965 to 1968, he served in the U.S. National Guard, interrupting his acting career. On his return to acting, he guest starred on the television series Adam-12, Love American Style, Knight Rider, Square Pegs, The Mod Squad, The Hardy Boys, and Emergency![5]

During the 1970s, Dow continued acting while working in the construction industry and studying journalism and film making.

[ttocs]

RIP Tony

Thanks for the entertainment all those years ago.

[AudioHTIT]

Who we’d all like to have as an older brother, RIP Tony Dow 🪦

[routlaw]

Yeah I grew up on those programs, still remember them. Funny stuff at the time.

[405x5]

Jul 27, 2022 18:16:24 GMT -5 DavidR said:

 

Tony Lee Dow (April 13, 1945 – July 27, 2022) was an American actor, film producer, director, and sculptor. He is best known for his role as Wally Cleaver in the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver from 1957 to 1963. From 1983 to 1989, Dow reprised his role as Wally in a television movie and in The New Leave It to Beaver.

With almost no acting experience, Dow's career began when he went on a casting call and landed the role of Wally Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver. For the show's entire run, from 1957 to 1963, he played the older son of June (played by Barbara Billingsley) and Ward (played by Hugh Beaumont) Cleaver, and the older brother of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (played by Jerry Mathers).
Dow with his Leave It to Beaver co-stars: Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Billingsley and Jerry Mathers, circa 1959

After Leave it to Beaver, Dow appeared on other television shows, including My Three Sons, Dr. Kildare, The Greatest Show on Earth, Never Too Young, and on five episodes of Mr. Novak in three different roles. Then, from 1965 to 1968, he served in the U.S. National Guard, interrupting his acting career. On his return to acting, he guest starred on the television series Adam-12, Love American Style, Knight Rider, Square Pegs, The Mod Squad, The Hardy Boys, and Emergency![5]

During the 1970s, Dow continued acting while working in the construction industry and studying journalism and film making.

Sad indeed….l never missed “Leave it to Beaver” when I was growing up. (My wife would tell you that hasn’t happened yet.)
His passing was reported prematurely the other day, as he was in hospice still alive, though the writing was on the wall.

[macromicroman]

R.I.P.

[bobcel]

RIP Wally