Leave It to Beaver's Tony Dow Dies, One Day After Accidental Announcement

Tony Dow, the actor and director best known for playing Wally Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver, has died at the age of 77. Dow passed Wednesday, one day after his death was erroneously announced by his wife and management team.

A statement posted Wednesday afternoon on the actor's Facebook page reads, "We have received confirmation from Christopher, Tony's son, that Tony passed away earlier this morning, with his loving family at his side to see him through this journey."

Dow played the older brother to Jerry Mathers' Beaver in the iconic black-and-white sitcom Leave It to Beaver, which aired from 1957 to 1963. The series followed an idyllic American family made up of mischievous younger brother Beaver, responsible eldest son Wally, and their parents, played by Hugh Beaumont and Barbara Billingsley.

He went on to reprise his role as Wally in the 1983 TV movie Still the Beaver and The New Leave It to Beaver, a sequel series that ran from 1985 to 1989.

Afterwards, Dow moved behind the camera as a writer, producer, and director, working on episodes of Harry and the Hendersons, Coach, Babylon 5, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also continued to act, appearing in General Hospital, The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and many other series.

He is survived by his wife Lauren, son Christopher, brother Dion, and a grandchild.

Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.