[Update: Tony Dow is still alive and at home in hospice care, as his family confirmed. However, Dow’s wife, Lauren, told CBS News that the actor is near death. He is battling cancer.

Tony Dow died at 77, and the golden era of American television lost one of its best-known faces, the actor who made his name as Wally Cleaver in ‘Leave it to Beaver’. 

As per his manager, Frank Bilotta, Dow died of complications from liver cancer in his home in Topanga, California, Washington Post reported. 

The actor was diagnosed with cancer back in May 2022, but at the time not much more was revealed about his condition. 

He and Lauren Shulkind put out a joint statement on Facebook, saying “Dear Friends & Fans of Tony Dow, I have some very sad news to share with you. Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer. He is approaching this reality so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking”. 

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The actor was previously hospitalized with pneumonia in October 2021, but recovered, with his agent posting on Facebook at the time, “He was up walking around yesterday and his doctors think he should be able to return home within the week”. 

Dow previously struggled with clinical depression, appearing in self-help videos which chronicled his battle with the condition. This includes the 1998 self-help programme, ‘Beating the Blues.’ 

The actor’s popularity in ‘Leave it to Beaver’ led to several other appearances in television movies and shows, with Dow branching out to direction as well, helming episodes on shows like ‘Babylon 5’. 

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He’s also a sculptor and has an estimated net worth of around $4 million. Looking back on the popularity of the sitcom that launched him to fame, Dow spoke to the Arizona Republic, saying “It’s nice to be remembered any way you can, so I have accomplished that”, and added, “I’m much more appreciative of the show. I was not unappreciative, but I was always a little rebellious.”

Dow has a son, Christopher, who appeared alongside him in the 1983 ‘The New Leave it to Beaver’ series.