Leave It To Beaver Star Tony Dow Dead At 77, Son Confirms

Tony Dow died on Wednesday, a few months after he and his wife, Lauren Shulkind, said on May 5 that his liver cancer had come back.

Tony Dow, who was known for playing Wally Cleaver on “Leave It to Beaver,” has died. The news came a day after the actor’s management team said that Dow had died too soon.

We have received confirmation from Christopher, Tony’s son, that Tony passed away earlier this morning, with his loving family at his side to see him through this journey.

We know that the world is collectively saddened by the loss of this incredible man. He gave so much to us all and was loved by so many. One fan said it best—“It is rare when there is a person who is so universally loved like Tony.”

Our heart goes out to Tony’s wife, Lauren, who will miss her soulmate of 42 years…To his son, Christopher, who will dearly miss his father, who was also his best friend…to his daughter-in-law, Melissa, who loved him like her own father…To his Granddaughter, Tyla, who will undoubtedly carry on her Grandfather’s kind soul, To his Brother Dion and Sister-in-Law, Judy, and to all of his extended family and friends. Words cannot express how much we will all feel his absence, but will cherish the memories he left to each and every one of us.

Christopher has stated: Although this is a very sad day, I have comfort and peace that he is in a better place. He was the best Dad anyone could ask for. He was my coach, my mentor, my voice of reason, my best friend, my best man in my wedding, and my hero. My wife said something powerful and shows the kind of man he was. She said: “Tony was such a kind man. He had such a huge heart and I’ve never heard Tony say a bad or negative thing about anyone.”

We respectfully ask that everyone give the family privacy in their time of mourning.

As we previously reported, Tony’s management team announced the actor’s passing on his official Facebook account on Tuesday. The announcement was later removed when it became clear the actor was still alive.

Tony’s manager says that Tony’s wife, Lauren, who was very upset at the time, thought her husband, who had been in hospice, was dead.

Christopher, Tony’s son, wrote on Tuesday, “Dad is dying at home, where he is getting care from a hospice. My wife and I are there with him, and so have a lot of his friends. He has a strong will to win.”