Tony Dow, the actor famous for playing Wally Cleaver on the hit sitcom Leave It to Beaver, has passed away at the age of 77.

Mr. Dow was born Anthony Lee Dow in Hollywood, California on April 15th, 1945.

He had little in the way of acting experience when he was cast to play Wally in Leave It to Beaver, the older brother to Jerry Mather‘s Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver in 1957, and co-starring Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont as their parents, June and Ward Cleaver. The show would run for six seasons until 1963, when it ended with Wally about to go to College and Beaver heading into High School.

Following the series, Mr. Dow would guest star in other series, including: My Three Sons, Dr. Kildare, The Greatest Show on Earth, Never Too Young, Mr. Novak, Adam-12, Love, American Style, Knight Rider, Square Pegs, The Mod Squad, The Hardy Boys, and Emergency!

From 1983 to 1989, he reprised the role of Wally in The New Leave It to Beaver.

He also served in the U.S. National Guard from 1965 to 1968.

Beginning in 1989, Mr. Dow turned to directing, when he directed an episode of The New Lassie, as well as several other shows, including Get a Life, Harry and the Hendersons, Coach, Babylon 5, Crusade, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Mr. Dow was married twice. First to Carol Marlow, and then to Lauren Shulkind.

Mr. Dow was diagnosed with cancer in May 2022, and passed away on July 27th, 2022. He is survived by his second wife, and his son, Christopher.

Other sources:
– Tony Dow, who played big brother Wally on Leave it to Beaver, dies at 77
– Tony Dow, ‘Leave It to Beaver’ star, has died
– Tony Dow, Big Brother Wally on ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ Dies at 77