Beaver actor Tony Dow said Thursday that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
The Los Angeles native, 77, and his wife, Lauren, said they were saddened by the diagnosis, TMZ She reported, and was thankful for a fan’s prayer, in advance.
The outlet reported that Dow and his wife did not name the type of cancer he was diagnosed with.
The latest: Beaver actor Tony Dow, 77, said Thursday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The actor was filmed in 2018 in Connecticut
Dow dealt with health problems in August of 2021 when he landed in the hospital while suffering from a case of pneumonia, TMZ She reported, noting that he had to spend 24 hours in the emergency room due to the increased delta strain of the coronavirus at the time.
Lauren told TMZ that Dow did not have COVID-19, having tested negative for the virus five times.
“On behalf of Tony and I, we thank you for your interest in him,” she told the outlet.
Dow played Wally Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver in all 234 episodes of the show from 1957 to 1963 alongside Jerry Mathers and later stars Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Billingsley and Ken Osmond.
Dow played Wally Cleaver in Leave It To Beaver in all 234 episodes of the show from 1957 to 1963.
Dao was photographed reading in a snapshot posted by his wife, Lauren, on Instagram
Dow reprized the role of Wally Cleaver for the 1983 TV movie Still the Beaver, a 1987 episode of The Love Boat and The New Leave It to Beaver TV series from 1983-1989.
He has also appeared on TV shows including Lassie, Adam-12, Mod Squad, Knight Rider, Charles in Charge and Murder, and She Wrote.
The TV veteran has also worked extensively as a director, directing several episodes of shows including Harry and the Hendersons, Babylon 5, Swamp Thing and Honey, and I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show.
In addition to his show business endeavors, Dow has focused on sculpture for decades, with his work exhibited in art galleries around the world, According to his website.
Dao and his wife Lauren pose together for a shot in 2018
The actor appeared on the popular show with Jerry Mathers, and the late co-stars Hugh Beaumont and Barbara Billingsley.
Dow and Mathers were reunited in 2010 in Los Angeles at a PaleyFest event in honor of the series
Dao spoke earlier this year with CBS Sunday Morningsaying that he struggled with depression due to being tarnished after finding fame early in life as Wally on Leave It to Beaver.
“I had to live with it for the rest of my life,” he said. I thought: It’s not fair. you know? I mean, I’d like to do a few other things. I would like to do some fun things. You know, it’s sad to be famous at 12 years old or something and then you grow up and be a real person, and nothing happens to you.
He spoke of his anger, adding, “Anger, if untreated, turns anger into depression.
Depression is not something you can say ‘Cheer up! About, he said. ‘You know, it’s a very powerful thing. It has had a huge impact on my life.’
Dao said that besides undergoing therapy and taking medications, his sculpting work had a therapeutic effect in his battle with depression.
“I’ve got it pretty much under control.” He said. “You know, I think people should take the leap of faith so they can feel better.”
