RIP Tony Dow

 

‘Leave It to Beaver’ star Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver, dead at 77

New York Daily News

By Nika Shakhnazarova and Samantha Ibrahim

July 27, 2022

 

Tony Dow, best known for his role as big brother Wally in the classic TV sitcom “Leave It to Beaver” has died. He was 77.

“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,” an announcement read on Dow’s Facebook account Wednesday afternoon.

“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,’” the statement added.

His son Christopher called it “a very sad day” in the announcement.

“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,” he said in the heartfelt tribute. “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.’”

Dow’s death was prematurely announced on Tuesday after his wife, Lauren Shulkind, mistakenly notified the actor’s management team.

Dow’s manager said Shulkind, 75, was “very distraught” over the condition of her husband and believed he had been declared dead.

On Tuesday night, the actor’s son, Christopher Dow, shared an update on Facebook, saying his father was in hospice care and in “his last hours.”

The post came hours after the actor’s management team announced his death prematurely.

In a now-deleted post, the statement — from Frank Bilotta and Renee James — read, “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning.

 

DOW, Tony (Anthony Lee Dow)

Born: 4/13/1945, Hollywood, California, U.S.A.

Died: 7/27/2022, Topanga, California, U.S.A.

 

Tony Dow’s western – actor:

Was Once a Hero – 2022 (Doc Jennings)