Tony Dow was everyone’s big brother and is best known as Wally Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver” for 234 episodes (1957-1963). He returned to the role in the followup series, “The New Leave It to Beaver” for another 101 episodes (1983-1989)
He also directed for TV, included episodes on “Babylon 5” and Deep Space Nine”.
Tony Dow in the late 1950s, when he and Jerry Mathers played siblings on the popular suburban sitcom “Leave It to Beaver.”Credit...Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Sometimes when I see parts of older tv shows like Perry Mason and Matlock they’re eerily relatable.
For example, one of the episodes of Leave It To Beaver this morning, Wally (the older brother), was upset and mad at everyone. He said everyone was against him and I felt that. Sitting at the dining room table I thought, “me too Wally. Me too.”
Redactions, The Sitcom Issue/When Wally Died, by Mark Tulin
Redactions, The Sitcom Issue/When Wally Died, by Mark Tulin
Thank your Redactions for including me in your super interesting The Sitcom Issue. If you love sitcoms and poetry–then pick up a copy. Enjoy my poem, “When Wally Died.” Page 62.
It’s a poem about one of my childhood idols, Wally Cleaver, in Leave it to Beaver, played by Tony Dow. If I had a big brother, it would have been him. RIP.
Also, read my tribute to Wally Cleaver/Tony Dow.
Tribute:…
A look back at our interview with the late actor Tony Dow ("Leave It to Beaver"); music from Hannah Ellis.
#TonyDow #WallyCleaver #LeaveIttoBeaver #RIP #InMemoriam #HannahEllis
A look back at our interview with the late actor Tony Dow (“Leave It to Beaver”); music from Hannah Ellis.
Airdate: 9/6/2022 (KCRT)
A look back at an extended interview with the late actor Tony Dow, who was best known for playing Wally Cleaver on the comedy classic, “Leave It to Beaver.” Plus, we have music from Hannah Ellis (“Country Can”). Host: Richard R. Lee.
Watch Interview: Tony…
Rest in peace to producer, director, sculptor, and television actor Tony Dow. He directed several episodes of “Babylon 5” and one episode of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” but he will forever be remembered for his portrayal of Wally Cleaver on the 1950s-60s sitcom “Leave It to Beaver”.