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

HOLLYWOOD, CA — "Leave It to Beaver" star Tony Dow's death was announced on Facebook Tuesday through his management team, however his family later said he was alive and in hospice in poor condition.

Dow was diagnosed with cancer in May 2022, according to Dow's Facebook page. Despite his death being reported early Tuesday morning, his wife, Lauren Dow, and son, Christopher Dow, began telling news outlets Tony Dow was alive and in hospice. An update was posted to Facebook around 1:40 p.m. confirming Tony Dow was still alive.

"This morning Tony's wife Lauren, who was very distraught, had notified us that Tony had passed and asked that we notify all his fans. As we are sure you can understand, this has been a very trying time for her. We have since received a call from Tony's daughter-in-law saying that while Tony is not doing well, he has not yet passed," Tony's friends and managers Frank Bilotta and Renee James said in Facebook post.

Dow is in hospice care in his home, his wife told ABC7. She had initially inferred Dow was dead based on health issues that occurred overnight, ABC7 reported. The announcement was a miscommunication, Lauren Dow told ABC7.

"Tony's son Christopher and his daughter-in-law Melissa have also been by his side comforting him, and we will keep you posted on any future updates," they said.

The Facebook post announcing Dow's death Tuesday morning was deleted shortly after, as news reports from CBS and Fox noted Tony Dow was still alive. Patch saw the original post around 9:15 a.m. By 11:15 a.m., it had been removed. Patch reached out to a phone number and email connected to Frank Bilotta.

"Tony was a beautiful soul — kind, compassionate, funny and humble. It was truly a joy to just be around him. His gentle voice and unpretentious manner was immediately comforting and you could not help but love him," Dow's management team, Frank Bilotta and Renee James, wrote in the now-deleted Facebook post.

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

"The world has lost an amazing human being, but we are all richer for the memories that he has left us. From the warm reminiscences of Wally Cleaver to those of us fortunate enough to know him personally — thank you Tony. And thank you for the reflections of a simpler time, the laughter, the friendship and for the feeling that you were a big brother to us all," Bilotta and James wrote in the now-deleted Facebook post announcing his death.

Thousands took to social media Tuesday to mourn the actor's death. Many spoke about how formative "Leave It to Beaver" was in their childhoods.

"Everyone wanted a big brother like Wally," one Twitter user wrote.

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