The actress’s wife posted the news on Facebook Thursday
Tony Dow, the star of “Leave It to Beaver”, has announced that he’s been diagnosed with another form of cancer. Lauren Shulkind, Dow’s wife, posted the news on Facebook Thursday.
Shulkind wrote, “Dear friends, fans of Tony Dow. I have some very sad news for you.” Tony has been again diagnosed with cancer. This is a very heartbreaking reality that he is facing with courage.
“We would like to thank you for your kind words. Our Love, Lauren & Tony.”
Wally Cleaver was a former child star who played the role for six seasons. It featured Jerry Mathers, Dow, Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont, as well as Ken Osmond and Ken Osmond.
Original broadcast on CBS, the show was then moved to ABC. Between 1957 and 1963, 234 episodes were produced.
The actor, now 77, was a part of the 1983 reunion show, “Still the Beaver” and its sequel series, called “The New Leave It to Beaver”.
Dow has struggled with health problems for the past year. In August 2021, he was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Last month, he celebrated his 77th Birthday.
Dow spoke out about his battle with depression in January. Dow initially believed that the character would not define him as he grew up, but it did.
During an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, the actor said that “And I was going to have to live with it the rest of my lives.” “I thought, “This isn’t fair.” I meant, I would like to do more. I’d like to do some interesting stuff. It’s not easy to be famous when you’re 12 years old. But then, you grow up and you become a real person.
Dow said that the sadness he felt after the success of “Leave It to Beaver”, turned into anger, and this led to a struggle that would plague him for many years.
Dow stated that anger, if left untreated, can lead to depression. Depression is not something that you can cheer up about. It’s a powerful thing, you know. It has had a tremendous impact on my life.”
Dow said that he was able to cope with his depression by taking medication and therapy. Dow also credits his childhood passion for art with giving him a sense he has a purpose. He says he has “almost everything under control.”
