‘Leave It to Beaver’ Actor Tony Dow’s Life in Photos: Look Back at the Beloved Late Star’s Career

1955

Tony was a competitive swimmer as a child, but his life changed after attending an audition for a new television series titled Leave It to Beaver. He was best known for playing teenager Wally Cleaver, an all-American boy, in the classic TV sitcom. Unlike his younger brother Beaver (played by Jerry Mathers), Wally was popular with the girls.

1957

The show also starred Jerry as Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver with Hugh Beaumont and Barbara Billingsley as their loving parents, Ward and June Cleaver. The show ran for six seasons, and it became even more popular years later as reruns aired.

1958

In a January 2022 interview with CBS This Morning, Tony spoke about his experience with childhood stardom. “From the time I was 11 or 12, I was told what to do. I was told on the set. I was told at home,” he said. “I didn’t have control of my life.” He had a complicated relationship with fame at such a young age, experiencing feelings like anger and depression. “I was gonna have to live with it for the rest of my life,” he said. “It’s sad to be famous at 12 years old or something, and then you grow up and become a real person, and nothing’s happening for you.”

1958

After Leave It to Beaver, Tony appeared on other TV shows, including My Three Sons, Dr. Kildare, The Greatest Show on Earth, Never Too Young, Mr. Novak, Adam-12, Knight Rider, Square Pegs, The Mod Squad, The Hardy Boys and Emergency!, among others. He then served in the California Army National Guard from 1965 to 1968 during the Vietnam War.

1985

Tony was seen here in 1985 alongside R&B singer Shirley Jones and musician Kashif. During the ’80s, Tony reprised his role as Wally Cleaver in a reunion television movie titled Still the Beaver, which turned into the revival series The New Leave It to Beaver.

2007

Leave It to Beaver wasn’t the only project that Tony and Jerry worked on together. They made frequent appearances together, like here at the 5th Annual TV Land Awards in 2007. They also costarred in a production of the comedy play Boeing, Boeing, which ran for 10 weeks in Kansas City in 1978. In addition, they toured the dinner theater circuit in a production of So Long, Stanley.

2010

Tony and his Leave It to Beaver costar Jerry remained close friends long after the sitcom ended in 1963. Following Tony’s death in 2022, Jerry penned a touching tribute to his longtime pal. “It is with the utmost sadness I learned this morning of my costar and lifelong friend Tony Dow’s passing,” Jerry wrote on Facebook. “He was not only my brother on tv, but in many ways in life as well. Tony leaves an empty place in my heart that won’t be filled. He was always the kindest, most generous, gentle, loving, sincere, and humble man, that it was my honor and privilege to be able to share memories together with for 65 years.”

2014

Tony was previously married to Carol Marlow — with whom he shares son Christopher — but following their divorce in 1978, he met Lauren Shulkind, and they immediately hit it off. According to Reuters, he and Lauren crossed paths in Kansas City while she was working for an advertising agency looking for an “all-American guy” to star in a McDonald’s commercial. After a lunch meeting, he sealed the deal. “I cast him in my life,” she said.

2014

Following his career in television, Tony took interest in art. According to his sculpture website, “In the early 2000s, Tony began to creating beautiful designs produced from burlwood. All have been sold as original wood sculptures after having the mold made for casting. Tony’s talent in the area of modern sculpture was confirmed when one of his bronzes was chosen for exhibition at the Salon 2008 de la National des Beaux Arts in Paris. He was one of only two U.S. sculptors selected to exhibit at this annual juried show at the Carrousel du Louvre. Tony also has exhibited at the Karen Lynne Gallery, Topanga Canyon Gallery and the Morgan Gallery.”

2021

Tony, pictured here in October 2021, was diagnosed with liver cancer in May 2022, and he died on July 27 of that year. His death came one day after Tony’s managers prematurely announced that he had died. “We know that the world is collectively saddened by the loss of this incredible man,” read a post on his official Facebook page. “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 post also included a statement from his son, Christopher, who said, “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.'”