New York Times reports that Dow’s representatives made an error in their message to Facebook and he is still alive. Variety also printed an obituary after verifying the death with Dow’s staff and publishing the Facebook post. Another request for response has been made by Variety, and his representatives have responded.
A Facebook post from Christopher Dow, his son, says, “This is a terrible moment. At this point, my father is in hospice care at home, and he is nearing the end. My wife and I, as well as many of his friends, are by his side. Despite his circumstances, he is a fighter.
Tony Dow, the actor and director best known for his role as Wally Cleaver in the legendary television series “Leave It to Beaver,” has died. He was 77 years old.
On Tuesday morning, his official Facebook page announced that he had died. The demise of our dear Tony this morning has left us with a heavy heart to share with you.” ‘Tony was a great soul,’ said the letter from his management team: ‘kind, compassionate… witty and humble’.
For the first time since he was first diagnosed with the disease, Dow’s cancer has returned.
My brother on-screen, but also in many other ways,” Mathers wrote in a Facebook post. Tony’s departure has left a void in my life that I will never be able to fill. Throughout the 65 years we shared our lives together he was the kindest, most kind, gentle loving, sincere and modest guy I had ever known.”
Dow’s mother was a stunt lady and Clara Bow’s dummy in her heyday. Wally auditioned for and won the role of Wally since he was a Junior Olympic diving champion but had no previous experience in the entertainment industry. The television series “Leave it to Beaver” premiered in 1957 and lasted until 1963. It was a famous black-and-white sitcom that featured the rambunctious Beaver, his practical brother Wally, their cunning friend Eddie Haskell, and their long-suffering but understanding parents who were played by Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont, respectively.
As a result, the show’s creators, Bob Mosher and Joe Connelly, modelled the characters on their own children, including Wally’s habit of constantly brushing his hair. Wally was going to begin college, and Beaver was preparing to begin high school.
In the 1980s, Dow made a comeback with the television movies “Still the Beaver” and “The New Leave It to Beaver,” which he also directed and wrote one episode of.
Aside from directing “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Coach,” “Babylon 5,” “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” he also wrote, produced, and directed several more shows.
Soon after “Leave It to Beaver,” Dow starred in a number of programs, some of which he portrayed himself on, such as the popular dramas General Hospital, Mr. Novak, and Never Too Young. He also appeared in the films Lassie, Love, American Style, and Square Pegs. Several former child actors made cameo appearances in his 2003 comedy “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.” He also participated in John Landis skit comedy “The Kentucky Fried Movie.”
With the help of the self-help film “Beating the Blues” he made in his early twenties, Dow went on to survive two cancer treatments. While working in the construction industry and becoming an artist, his life took an unexpected turn.
Lauren, his wife, and their two children survive him.