Tony Dow Wiki, Height, Age, Family, Wife, Net Worth and Career

Tony Dow whose full name is Anthony Lee Dow, is a distinguished American actor, filmmaker, and artist. He is most recognized for portraying Wally Cleaver in the cherished sitcom Leave It to Beaver, which aired from 1957 until 1963. Dow also reprised his Wally role in a TV movie and in The New Leave It to Beaver from 1983 to 1989.

Beyond his notable acting career, Dow has also proven his skills as a sculptor, producer, and director in the film industry. Tony was a person of many talents who excelled in various aspects of the entertainment sector. He earned significant respect as an American actor, director, producer, and sculptor, well-known for his remarkable contributions to both art and entertainment.

Growing up in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, Tony developed an interest in acting at an early age. He aimed to become a child actor and dedicated himself to achieving this aspiration. His commitment and skill were rewarded when he was selected to play Wally Cleaver in the sitcom Leave It to Beaver, which continued from 1957 until 1963. This part became an integral part of his identity and solidified his reputation as a gifted actor.

Tony acting pursuits diminished, leading him to explore other avenues. He engaged in various employment opportunities, including construction jobs, to earn a living. Despite his demanding lifestyle, his passion for art remained intact, and he later rekindled his interest in sculpting. He began creating sculptures and soon gained recognition for his exceptional abilities in the art form.

Who is Tony Dow?

Tony Dow, a multifaceted American talent, is well-regarded as an actor, director, producer, and sculptor. He rose to fame for his memorable performance as Wally Cleaver in the well-loved sitcom “Leave It to Beaver” which ran from 1957 to 1963, a role he returned to in later sequels. Sadly, he passed away in July 2022 after struggling with liver cancer, leaving behind an impressive body of work that enriched the entertainment world.

Is Tony Dow Alive?

Tony Dow is no longer living. He was given the unfortunate diagnosis of liver cancer in May 2022. Regrettably, he died on July 27, 2022, on a day which was preceded by incorrect reports announcing his passing.

Was Tony Dow in the military?

In the latter part of the 1960s, Tony Dow temporarily paused his acting career to serve his obligations to the California National Guard. His conviction against bearing arms presented a unique hurdle for the CNG.

How Did Tony Dow Get Famous?

Tony Dow gained widespread recognition and acclaim through his successful career in acting, both in film and television. He initially became well-known in the 1950s with appearances on popular television series like “Leave It To Beaver” and “The Millionaire.” His youthful appeal quickly established him as one of the most cherished actors in history.

Tony is regarded as an iconic figure in acting, leaving behind a lasting legacy that will always be remembered. Even at the age of 78, he continues to hold a significant presence in the world of entertainment, frequently attending film festivals and award shows globally. He is celebrated as one of the most legendary heartthrobs to come out of Hollywood!

His classic attractiveness, upbeat demeanor, and enduring style keep fans captivated, decades later. Despite facing both triumphs and challenges in his life, it is evident that he consistently delivers compelling performances that inspire audiences. From sharing the screen with timeless legends like Elizabeth Taylor to modern icons such as Brad Pitt Dow will forever be regarded as a cultural figure.

Tony Dow Wikipedia/Biography

Tony Dow was an American multi-talented individual known for his work as an actor, producer, director, businessman, and sculptor, most notably recognized for his role as the older brother of the main character in the classic television series “Leave It To Beaver.”

He was born on April 13, 1945, in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA. He was the child of John Dow, a designer and general contractor, and Muriel Montrose. His mother was a prominent Sennett Bathing Beauty during the 1920s and served as a body double for actress Clara Bow in silent films.

Through his mother, Tony traced his ancestry back to William Bradford, who was the second governor of the Plymouth Colony, making him a descendant of the Mayflower as well. In his youth, he excelled as a swimmer and became a champion in diving at the Junior Olympics. His first appearance on television was as Wally in Leave It To Beaver. Following the conclusion of the series, he took part in other television shows, such as My Three Sons and Dr. Kildare.

He embarked on his journey in acting during his childhood, taking on roles in numerous television commercials and movies as a young performer. His inaugural film role was in “The Detective,” which debuted in 1968, and he participated in additional films and television programs in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1965 to 1968, he was a member of the U.S. National Guard. Once he returned to his acting career.

He featured in several other television series, including Adam-12 and Love American Style. Yet, it was his portrayal of Wally Cleaver in the beloved series “Leave It to Beaver” that captured the public’s interest. The series aired from 1957 to 1963 and enjoyed remarkable popularity, establishing Dow as one of the most recognized faces among actors of his era.

Tony persisted in his acting endeavors through the 1970s and 1980s, featuring in diverse television series and films, such as “The Love Boat,” “The Love Boat II,” and “The Love Boat III.” In addition, he carved out a reputation as a director, helming various television programs and features, including “The Love Boat,” “The Love Boat II,” and “The Love Boat III.”

Tony Dow showcased his adaptability and skill as an actor and collaborated with numerous prominent figures in the entertainment realm. His iconic performance as Wally Cleaver in the sitcom “Leave It to Beaver” earned him widespread acclaim and contributed to a successful path in both acting and directing. Another significant project in his career was his role in the teen soap opera “Never Too Young.”

Dow also guest-starred on several television series, like “Square Pegs” and “Mr. Novak.” He developed a strong interest in directing and took charge of several TV shows, including “Get a Life,” “Coach,” and “Babylon 5.” Beyond his acting and directing pursuits, he engaged in various activities such as construction and sculpture. Dow passed away in July 2022 after a prolonged battle with liver cancer.

Full name	Anthony Lee Dow
Date of birth	13th April 1945
Date of death	27th July 2022
Age at death	77 years
Place of birth	Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Place of death	Topanga, California, United States
Cause of death	Liver cancer
Nationality	American
Profession	Actor, director, producer, sculptor
Gender	Male
Sexual orientation	Straight
Marital status	Married
Wife	Carol Marlow (1969 to 1980), Lauren Shulking (from 1980 to July 2022)
Years active	1949 to July 2022

Tony Dow Age

Tony Dow, the celebrated American actor was born on April 13, 1945 in Los Angeles, California, United States at the age of 77.

How old is Tony Dow?

Tony Dow, the celebrated American actor who touched hearts with his role in “Leave It to Beaver,” was born on April 13, 1945, and he left us on July 27, 2022, at the age of 77.

Tony Dow Death

Dow received a diagnosis of liver cancer in May 2022. He passed away on July 27, 2022, subsequent to an initial widespread misreporting of his death on the previous day.

Cause of death

The world mourned as Tony Dow, remembered fondly for his portrayal of Wally Cleaver in the timeless series “Leave It To Beaver,” succumbed to liver cancer.

Tony Dow Height & Weight

Tony Dow stand up 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs roughly 75 kilograms. As a dedicated professional, she has managed to keep a fit physique. He has gray hair and hazel-blue eyes.

Height	5 feet 8 inches
Weight	75 kilograms
Hair Color	Gray
Eye Color	Hazel-blue

Tony Dow Early Life And Education

Tony Dow is a prominent actor, director, and producer, born on April 13, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a household led by his parents, Muriel Montrose and John Stevens, alongside his sibling, Dion Dow. Dow pursued his education at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) and gained recognition for his contributions within the entertainment sector. He identifies as White and follows Christianity.

Tony Dow Personal Life and Death

Tony Dow enjoyed a successful journey as an actor, director, and producer. He was married two times, His first wife was Carol Marlow in 1969. They have one son, Christopher Dow. However, their marriage concluded in divorce in 1980. That same year, Dow wed Lauren Shulkind, remaining married from 1980 until his passing in July 2022.

Tony took his last breath on July 27, 2022, in Topanga, California, U.S. Various reports indicate that he succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 77. Prior to his death, he had also been hospitalized in 2021 due to pneumonia. At the time of his passing, his net worth was estimated to be over $4 million.

Tony Dow Family Background/Parents

Tony Dow father, John Stevens Dow, Jr., was a contractor and designer by profession. His mother, Muriel Virginia Dow, performed stunts and served as the body double for actress Clara Bow. In the 1990s, he opened up about his battle with clinical depression. He also featured in various videos documenting his journey with this mental health issue.

One notable video, entitled ‘Beating the Blues,’ was released in 1998. In May 2022, Dow received a diagnosis of liver cancer. He passed away on July 27, 2022, in his residence located in Topanga, California.

Parents	Muriel Montrose, John Stevens
Relationship Status	Married (Lauren Shulkind (m. 1980), Carol Marlow (m. 1969–1980)
Children	Christopher Dow

Was Tony Dow married?

Tony Dow shared his life with two wonderful women through marriage:

Carol Marie Marlow

Tony first encountered Carol Marie Marlow while she was employed at an advertising firm. They solidified their bond on June 14, 1969, when they exchanged vows in marriage. Their family expanded in 1973 with the arrival of their child. Their marital journey took a turn on March 10, 1980, when they chose to go their separate ways.

Lauren Shulkind

Tony later discovered love anew with Lauren Shulkind, a mosaic artist. Their affection culminated in marriage on June 16, 1980. Nearly forty years prior, they settled in a house nestled in the Topanga Canyon region of Los Angeles County.

Together, they transformed it into a peaceful refuge for artists, enriching it with their own unique, hand-crafted adornments. Lauren expresses admiration for Tony’s broad spectrum of skills, which included building, design, and sculpting, and she celebrates his passion and prowess in these areas.

Tony Dow Career/Professional Journey

Tony Dow has flourished in his career as an actor, director, and producer. He is most famously known for his role as Wally Cleaver in the legendary sitcom Leave It to Beaver and has revisited this character in a later television film and series. Throughout his career, he has showcased his acting range by appearing in multiple other television shows and films.

In addition to his acting, Dow has taken on directing roles for popular television series such as Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Coach, and The New Leave It to Beaver. Overall, Dow’s impact on the entertainment world has earned him stature as a well-respected and cherished personality in Hollywood.

He is recognized as a notable producer in the film sector, having produced films like The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space and It Came from Outer Space II. Alongside producing, he also played a significant role in visual effects for celebrated shows like Babylon 5 and Doctor Who. His efforts in the entertainment industry have made him a distinguished figure in Hollywood.

Tony Dow As Actor And Filmmaker

Dow embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry as a teenager. He auditioned successfully for the part of Wally Cleaver, the elder sibling of Theodore Beaver Cleaver in Leave It To Beaver. Following his rise to fame, the producer crafted several episodes that focused on Wally’s romantic pursuits, friendships, part-time jobs, and his vehicle. This was merely the start of his professional path.

The cast of Leave It To Beaver included notable names such as Jerry Mathers, Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, among others. Following the series, Dow featured in various other television programs, such as Dr. Kildare, My Three Sons, Never Too Young, The Greatest Show On Earth, and five installments of Mr. Novak. He took a hiatus from television from 1965 to 1968 to fulfill his service in the US National Guard.

He resumed making guest appearances in shows like Love, Adam-12, Knight Rider, American Style, The Mod Squad, Square Pegs, The Hardy Boys, and Emergency. Throughout the 1970s, Dow persisted in his acting endeavors while simultaneously working in construction and exploring filmmaking and journalism. He had another opportunity to reprise his role as Wally in The Kentucky Fried Movie released in 1977.

Dow once more took on his character for a film and its sequel, writing an episode as part of this project. He received recognition from the Young Artist Foundation with the Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award for portraying Wally Cleaver. His first venture as a filmmaker occurred in 1989 with The New Lassie, where he contributed to just one episode. He then returned to the scene with a series of remarkable shows and films.

Tony Dow the star of ‘Leave it to Beaver,’ has passed away at the age of 77 following an earlier announcement

Tony Dow spouse informed supporters in May that the “Leave it to Beaver” actor was once again facing cancer.

Tony recognized primarily for his portrayal of Wally Cleaver, the older brother on the iconic sitcom “Leave it to Beaver” during the 1950s and 60s, passed away on Wednesday at 77, as confirmed by family members. The cherished actor departed “with his devoted family surrounding him throughout this journey,” according to a message shared on his official Facebook account.

Dow’s passing occurred one day after his management team erroneously declared his death while he received hospice care. His wife, Lauren, later clarified to multiple media outlets that she had mistakenly suggested to some individuals on Tuesday morning that her husband had already passed away. She indicated that this was a misunderstanding and expressed her regret for any confusion caused.

Tony’s son, Christopher, verified his father’s death on Wednesday and shared a statement. “While this is indeed a very sorrowful day, I find comfort and solace in knowing he is in a better place,” Christopher Dow remarked. “He was an incredible father, my coach, my guide, my moral compass, my closest companion, my best man at my wedding, and my ultimate hero.”

In May, Lauren posted on Facebook to inform fans that the “Leave it to Beaver” actor was battling cancer again. Although no detailed diagnosis was provided, Dow had previously overcome two instances of the disease. Last week, his management team reported that Dow’s fight against cancer had recently been characterized as “a rollercoaster of ups and downs,” noting he had been hospitalized multiple times “due to various complications and treatments.”

Throughout his career, Dow also made appearances on “General Hospital,” “Never Too Young,” and had guest spots as himself on “The Love Boat.” Born in Hollywood, he was a Junior Olympics diving champion. However, his entry into the entertainment industry occurred when he auditioned for the role of Wally in the much-loved “Leave it to Beaver” series, which aired from 1957 to 1963.

The sitcom depicted a typical family during the Cold War era, featuring the mischievous Beaver, Wally, and their parents portrayed by Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont. In recent years, Dow had begun to establish himself in the art community as an abstract artist.

Tony Dow Critical Health

However, during the 1990s, Dow revealed that he was battling with clinical depression. He subsequently took part in self-help video projects while managing his mental health struggles. Eventually, he found his way back to stability. Yet in 2021, Dow faced hospitalization due to pneumonia. He endured an entire day in the emergency room as there were no available beds for patients who did not have COVID-19. He underwent five tests, all returning negative results. Nonetheless, he emerged from the ordeal stronger after a week.

“Leave it to Beaver”

In the late 1950s, Dow participated in auditions for the sitcom “Leave It to Beaver.” Despite his lack of significant acting background, he secured the role of Wally Cleaver, the firstborn of June, portrayed by Barbara Billingsley, and Ward, played by Hugh Beaumont.

Throughout the series, Tony acted alongside Jerry Mathers, who took on the role of his younger sibling, Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver. “Leave It to Beaver” became an immense success, airing a total of 234 episodes until 1963. The series concluded with Beaver on the verge of graduating to high school and Wally preparing for college.

Directing Career

Dow ventured into directing in 1989 with an episode of “The New Lassie.” His directing portfolio expanded as he helmed episodes for sitcoms like “Get a Life,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” and “Coach.” In the mid-to-late 1990s, Tony directed several episodes for the space opera “Babylon 5,” while serving as a visual effects supervisor on the project. He later directed the “Field of Fire” segment from the seventh season of “Star Trek: Deep Space 9.”

Tony Dow Films Career

In addition to television, Dow participated in several films over the years. He made a notable appearance in the 1977 sketch comedy film “The Kentucky Fried Movie,” where he reprised his role as Wally Cleaver in a court trial parody. A decade later, in 1987, Tony had a minor role in the comedic spoof “Back to the Beach,” featuring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon.

His return to film didn’t occur until 2003 when he made a brief appearance in the David Spade comedy “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.” The movie also showcased more than twenty former child actors poking fun at their past, including Corey Feldman and Emmanuel Lewis.

Television Career

After “Leave It to Beaver” concluded, Dow featured in episodes from a variety of television series. Some of these included “The Eleventh Hour,” “Dr. Kildare,” “The Greatest Show on Earth,” and “My Three Sons.” He also took on three distinct parts across five episodes of “Mr. Novak.” In 1965, Tony landed a significant part in ABC’s “Never Too Young,” the inaugural soap opera specifically aimed at a teenage demographic.

The ensemble included Merry Anders, Michael Blodgett, Jan Clayton, and Joy Harmon. Having spent three years in the National Guard, Dow made a return to acting in the 1970s, picking up various guest-starring roles. He appeared in episodes of the police drama “Adam-12,” the comedy anthology series “Love, American Style,” the crime series “The Mod Squad,” and the medical drama “Emergency!” Later in the decade, Tony featured in the TV movie “Death Scream,” which starred Ed Asner and Cloris Leachman.

In the 1980s, he was seen in episodes of shows such as “Square Pegs,” “Quincy M.E.,” “Knight Rider,” “High School U.S.A.,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “The New Mike Hammer.” Dow also reprised his role as Wally Cleaver in the 1983 reunion film “Still the Beaver,” and subsequently in the revival show “The New Leave It to Beaver,” which continued airing until 1989.

Other Pursuits

Beyond his television and film work, Dow explored a multitude of professional avenues during his career. While performing in the spent time working in the construction sector and deepening his knowledge of journalism. Later, he transitioned into sculpting, garnering considerable attention for his unique abstract bronze creations. Employing the lost-wax casting technique.

Tony produced limited editions comprising nine distinct bronze sculptures one of these pieces was proudly displayed by his “Leave it to Beaver” co-star, Barbara Billingsley, as an accent to her backyard garden. Dow’s work was celebrated when he was chosen as one of a select few sculptors invited to showcase their pieces in the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts exhibition, hosted at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris in 2008.

Tony Dow Net Worth

Tony Dow was an American actor, director, and sculptor whose net worth stood at $4 million at the time he passed in 2024. He gained fame for his portrayal of Wally Cleaver, the eldest son, on the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver from 1957 to 1963. He appeared in the teen soap opera Never Too Young and made guest spots on several other programs, including Mr. Novak and Square Pegs. Later in his career, Dow transitioned to directing episodes of series such as Babylon 5 and Coach.

FAQ

Q1. Who exactly was Tony Dow?
Tony Dow was a well-known American actor, film producer, director, and sculptor.

Q2. What age was Tony Dow at the time of his death?
He was 77 years old at the time he passed away.

Q3. What was Tony Dow net worth?
Tony Dow was an American actor, director, and sculptor whose net worth stood at $4 million.

Q4. What is his birth name?
His birth name is Anthony Lee Dow.

Q5. When did Tony first begin acting?
Tony Dow began his acting career at the young age of 12.

Q6. What else is Dow recognized for apart from acting?
In addition to acting, Dow is recognized for his contributions as a director and a sculptor.

Q7. Has Tony Dow participated in any theatrical productions?
Yes, Tony Dow has taken part in numerous stage productions during his lifetime.

Q8. What motivated Tony to pursue a career in the arts?
Tony Dow felt compelled to follow a career in the arts after enrolling in a ceramics course during high school.

Q9. Are there any new projects on the horizon for Dow within the entertainment sector?
Currently, there are no announced upcoming projects for Dow in the entertainment sector.