Tony Dow, the actor, director, and artist best known for his role as Wally Cleaver in the popular family sitcom “Leave It to Beaver,” was in hospice care Tuesday, despite an earlier word that he had died.
On Tuesday morning, Dow’s friends and managers Frank Bilotta and Renee James posted on the actor’s Facebook page that he had passed away at the age of 77.
The news soon spread around the world, and accolades for the co-star of one of television’s most famous shows poured in.
Dow’s wife, Lauren, later told CBS News and other media sources that her husband was still alive but in hospice care.
Considering a number of factors Tuesday morning, Lauren told ABC7 that she had been experiencing an emotional roller coaster and had come to assume that Dow had passed away.
However, she later learned that he was still alive after his passing had already been widely reported throughout the world.
Dow’s Facebook post announcing his death was later removed from the actor’s profile.
Dow has been suffering a recurrence of cancer, which he has previously defeated twice.
Dow has been “in and out of the hospital with various issues and treatments,” his managers wrote last week.
Who Was the Older Brother on Leave It to Beaver?
The elder brother of Beaver and the son of June and Ward is Wally Cleaver (Tony Dow).
Wally is 12 years old and enrolled in Grant Avenue Grammar School’s eighth grade when the episode begins.
He excels academically and athletically, eventually earning letters in three sports.
