Tony Dow, known for his role as the character Wally Cleaver on the iconic television show “Leave It to Beaver,” passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77 years old.
Jerry Mathers, who played Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on the show that originally aired from the late 1950s into the early 1960s, posted a statement about Dow’s death on social media.
“It is with the utmost sadness that I learned from Christopher, Tony’s son, that Tony passed away earlier this morning with his loving family by his side. Tony was not only my brother on TV, but in many ways in life as well. He leaves an empty place in my heart that won’t be filled,” Mathers noted in the statement posted on Facebook.
“Tony was always the kindest, most generous, gentle, loving, sincere, and humble man, and it was my honor and privilege to be able to share memories together with him for 65 years. Tony was so grateful for all of the kindness and support from our fans around the world and he so much appreciated all the love. My wife Teresa and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Lauren, his family and to all of those who knew and loved him so very much. The world may have lost a star today, but the heavens gained another,” the statement said.
Dow served a few years in the National Guard, according to the Associated Press.
During his life, Dow also took up sculpting, and in 2008, one of his works was displayed in Paris, France, at the Salon de la Societé Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Carrousel du Louvre, according to the New York Times.