LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Actor, director and artist Tony Dow, forever
remembered for his role as Wally Cleaver -- older brother to Jerry Mathers'
Beaver -- in the iconic family sitcom ``Leave it to Beaver,'' was in hospice
care today, despite an earlier announcement that he had died.
Dow's friends and managers Frank Bilotta and Renee James wrote on
Dow's Facebook page Tuesday morning that the actor had died at age 77.
The news quickly went worldwide, with tributes pouring in for the co-star of one of television's most memorable shows.
But a short time later, Dow's wife, Lauren, told CBS News and other
media outlets that her husband was still alive, but in hospice care. She told
ABC7 she has been on an emotional roller-coaster, and believed that Dow had died based on a variety of circumstances Tuesday morning, only to realize later he was still alive, after his death was already being reported globally.
The Facebook post announcing Dow's death was subsequently deleted from
the actor's social media page.
Dow had been battling a re-occurrence with cancer, which he had beaten back twice before. His managers wrote last week that Dow had been ``in and out of the hospital with various complications and treatments.''
Mathers took to Facebook last week to ask for prayers for his TV brother and longtime friend.
“He appreciates your concern and good wishes, and it has certainly been a great help in lifting his spirits,'' Mathers wrote.
“Leave it to Beaver'' is one of the most memorable TV series from the late 1950s and early 1960s, portraying the American ideal of family life.
The Cleavers were led by mom-and-dad portrayed by Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont, with Mathers playing the always-mischievous Beaver and Dow being his more straight-laced older brother, Wally.
When the show's run ended, Dow moved more into writing and directing, but continued to make appearances on shows including ``The Love Boat,'' ``Charles in Charge'' and ``Lassie.'' As a director, he helmed episodes of
shows including ``Coach,'' ``Babylon 5,'' ``Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' and ``Swamp Thing.''
He also became an accomplished artist and sculptor. One of his bronze sculptures was once displayed at the Louvre in Paris.
Dow is survived by his wife, Lauren, and two children.
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