'Leave It To Beaver' Star Dies After Premature Death Announcement

HOLLYWOOD, CA — "Leave It To Beaver" star Tony Dow died Wednesday morning, his management team announced.

Dow's death was announced prematurely Tuesday morning— as his family later said he was in hospice in poor condition, according to Dow's friends and managers, Frank Bilotta and Renee James.

His death was announced again Wednesday morning in a Facebook post.

"We know that the world is collectively saddened by the loss of this incredible man. He gave so much to us all and was loved by so many. One fan said it best—'It is rare when there is a person who is so universally loved like Tony,'" Bilotta and James wrote on Dow's Facebook page.

Dow, 77, was 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."

"Although this is a very sad day, I have comfort and peace that he is in a better place. He was the best Dad anyone could ask for. He was my coach, my mentor, my voice of reason, my best friend, my best man in my wedding, and my hero. My wife said something powerful and shows the kind of man he was," Tony Dow's son, Cristopher Dow, said.

Dow was a producer, director and actor who was born in Hollywood in 1945, according to IMDB. He was best known for his role as Wally on "Leave It to Beaver," but also had iconic roles in "Never Too Late," "My Three Sons," and more.

“Tony was such a kind man. He had such a huge heart and I’ve never heard Tony say a bad or negative thing about anyone," said Dow's wife Lauren Shulkind, according to the Facebook post.

His "Leave it to Beaver" co-star, Jerry Mathers, who played the Beaver, took to Facebook on Tuesday to hail his lifelong friend.

"He was not only my brother on TV, but in many ways in life as well," Mathers wrote. "He was always the kindest, most generous, gentle, loving, sincere, and humble man, that it was my honor and privilege to be able to share memories together with for 65 years. Tony was so grateful for all of the love and support from our fans across the world."

See Also: Tony Dow Is Still Alive But In Hospice In Poor Condition: Family

City News Service contributed to this report