Tony Dow, Wally Cleaver on 'Leave It to Beaver,' Dies at 77

Actor Tony Dow attends the premiere of "Mary Pickford, The Muse of Music" at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences on Aug. 28, 2009, in Beverly Hills, California.

"Go out Information technology To Beaver" actor Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver in the popular sitcom, died Tuesday at 77.

Dow's manager Frank Bilotta said in a email to Usa TODAY Tuesday that the actor "passed from cancer."

In a now-deleted statement on Dow's Facebook page, Bilotta and Renee James shared the news: "It is with an extremely heavy heart that nosotros share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning," they said.

"Tony was a beautiful soul - kind, compassionate, funny and humble. It was truly a joy to just be effectually him. His gentle voice and unpretentious manner was immediately comforting and you could not help but dear him," they added.

"The world has lost an astonishing man being, just nosotros are all richer for the memories that he has left u.s.a.. From the warm reminiscences of Wally Cleaver to those of us fortunate enough to know him personally - cheers Tony. And thank you for the reflections of a simpler time, the laughter, the friendship and for the feeling that you were a big brother to us all," the post said.

On the hitting sitcom, which aired on CBS and and so ABC from 1957-63, Wally was the older son of Ward and June, a straighter dissimilarity to the quirkier main character of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers). A pop jock, Wally was also ensnared in the schemes of his friend, the mischievous and smoothen-talking Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond).

The news comes less than three months afterward the histrion and and his married woman, Lauren Shulkind put out a articulation statement sharing the "very sad news" of his cancer diagnosis, though they didn't disembalm details of the disease.

"Dear Friends & Fans of Tony Dow, I have some very lamentable news to share with you. Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer. He is approaching this reality and so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking," the joint statement read.

Actors Tony Dow (L) and Jerry Mathers backstage at the 5th Annual TV Land Awards held at Barker Hangar on April 14, 2007 in Santa Monica, Calif.

Tony Dow cancer:'Leave Information technology To Beaver' announces diagnosis: 'Information technology is truly heartbreaking'

Mathers mourned his "Beaver" co-star in a post to Facebook Tuesday, saying Dow was not just a blood brother on TV but "in may ways in life also."

"Tony leaves an empty identify in my center that won't be filled. He was always the kindest, most generous, gentle, loving, sincere, and humble man, that was my accolade and privilege to be able to share memories together with for 65 years," he wrote. "The earth may have lost a star today, but the heavens gained some other.

Mathers had updated fans on Dow'southward cancer battle Thursday, asking for "prayers and healing."

He included a note from Dow'south Facebook page, which said his affliction had been a "rollercoaster of ups and downs" with Dow "in and out of the hospital with various complications and treatments."

The actor and director has been public almost previous health struggles. In August he was hospitalized with pneumonia, Bilotta confirmed at the fourth dimension.

Dow afterward reprised his role as Wally in a "Beaver" spinoff from 1983 to 1989. He also directed several episodes of 1993's "Babylon 5" along with 1999 episodes of "Crusade" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

The thespian, born Anthony Lee Dow, has starred in an array of television serial every bit a child and was involved in A Minor Consideration, a non-profit foundation to provide support for child actors.

In 2017, Dow reflected on his acting career and historic "Leave Information technology To Beaver" 's 60th anniversary in an interview with the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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"It's prissy to be remembered any way you can, so I have accomplished that," Dow said at the fourth dimension. "I'm much more beholden of the show. I was non unappreciative, merely I was always a trivial rebellious."

Dow's friends in the industry paid tribute to the histrion on social media, too remembering him as an artist and carpenter.

TV producer Jim Michaels shared in a post, "I will miss my friend Tony Dow- an amazingly kind person, talented manager, actor, wood craftsman and creative person. I smiling whenever I recollect of him and his loving married woman Lauren. I loved golfing with him and his preferred barefoot approach to golf shoes!"

Wrestler Jerry Lawler shared wishes that Dow would rest peacefully. "Man, so distressing to hear that a life-long TV favorite of mine, Tony Dow, Wally from 'Leave It To Beaver' just passed abroad. R.I.P. Wally"

Actor Alan Tudyk praised Dow'southward carpentry skills in a tweet: "Tony Dow built the beach house I lived in when I first moved to Los Angeles to shoot Firefly," he posted. "Hell of a carpenter."

Contributing: Elise Brisco, Jenna Ryu, Erin Jensen