Tony Dow, the 77-year-old actor best known for his role as Wally Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver and appearances in shows such as Mr. Novak and The Love Boat, issued a concerning health update on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Tony, who won two BAFTA TV Awards for Only Fools and Horses, was recently diagnosed with cancer. The actor, who has won awards for his acting and artistic abilities, announced the news in a Facebook post co-signed by his wife.
Illness
Tony Dow, best known for playing Wally Cleaver’s older brother in “Leave It to Beaver,” has been diagnosed with cancer.
The former child star, 77, and his wife of nearly 42 years, Lauren Shulkind, announced the news on Thursday, telling TMZ that they are devastated by the diagnosis and grateful for fans’ prayers. They didn’t say what kind of cancer he has.
Shulkind revealed last August that Dow had been briefly hospitalized with pneumonia, explaining that he had to wait 24 hours for a hospital bed due to the Delta variant of COVID-19 being prevalent in California at the time.
Dow was in good spirits despite a “violent cough” that was “causing pains on the top of his head,” Shulkind wrote on Facebook at the time, with no fever and lots of IV fluids.
Tony Dow is battling a cancer recurrence
'Leave It To Beaver' star Tony Dow says he has been diagnosed with cancer. https://t.co/mGbfPVxYeN
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 6, 2022
Sitcoms like “Leave It to Beaver” didn’t deal with heavy subjects like serious illness in the late 1950s. Unfortunately, real life bears little resemblance to the world of television; even back then, mothers did not wear fancy dresses and pearls to clean the house and change diapers. Tony Dow’s wife, Lauren Shulkind, recently announced a health update on his Facebook page, bringing this sad fact to light. “Dear Tony Dow Friends and Fans, I have some very sad news to share with you,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, Tony has been diagnosed with cancer once more. He is facing this reality bravely, but it is heartbreaking. We would like to thank you in advance for your kind thoughts. Lauren and Tony, with love.”
Dow’s cancer type was not specified in the post, nor was it the same type he previously battled. Dow was hospitalized for non-COVID-related pneumonia nearly a year ago, according to TMZ.
Dow received over 35,000 reactions to the post, with over 15,000 comments sending kind thoughts and prayers, proving that “Leave It to Beaver” still has a devoted following. Fans also wished him well on his Instagram page. Marilyn Mathers, the mother of “Beaver” Jerry Mathers, sent a very special note. She stated, “Tony, you know how much I adore you and have been praying for you. You were a sweet and precious boy who grew into a wonderful man. Your mother would be overjoyed.”
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‘Leave It To Beaver’ Star Tony Dow Hospitalized With Pneumonia
Tony Dow, the iconic TV series Leave It To Beaver star, has been hospitalized with pneumonia, according to his agent Frank Bilotta.
The 76-year-old actor, director, and sculptor is best known for playing the sitcom’s older, clean-cut brother Wally Cleaver for 234 episodes from 1957 to 1963.
Dow has been in the hospital since Thursday. According to reports, he tested negative for COVID-19.
“Tony has pneumonia, but he is in good spirits and doing well,” Bilotta said in a statement. “He was up and walking around yesterday, and his doctors believe he’ll be able to go home within a week.”
Where Is Actor Tony Dow Now?
Tony Dow and his wife live in Topanga, California, on Los Angeles County’s western outskirts.
According to TMZ, the former child star’s wife, Lauren Dow, revealed that Tony Dow was diagnosed with cancer on Thursday.
Dow and his wife did not specify the sort of cancer the actor is suffering, but they did beg for fans’ prayers and happy thoughts.