Former child star Tony Dow has been diagnosed with cancer. The 77-year-old actor and his wife Lauren, whom he married in 1980, shared the news on social media late Thursday (May 5).
“Dear Friends & Fans of Tony Dow,
I have some very sad news to share with you.
Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer.
He is approaching this reality so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking.
We want to thank you in advance for your caring thoughts.
Our Love, Lauren & Tony”
Tony Dow rose to fame as Beaver’s brother, Wally Cleaver, in the television sitcom Leave It To Beaver that ran from 1957 to 1963. After the show ended, Dow continued to appear on screen in other roles on shows such as My Three Sons, The Greatest Show on Earth and Dr. Kildare. He took a break from acting from 1965 to 1968 to serve in the National Guard.
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After his service ended, Dow returned to acting in guest star roles on Adam-12, Knight Rider, The Hardy Boys and more. He continued to act through the 1970s while studying filmmaking and journalism, eventually becoming a director and visual effects supervisor. Dow ended his acting career with nearly 30 roles to his credit.
Dow has reportedly battled and beaten cancer twice before. More than a decade ago he survived a bout with prostate cancer followed by a rare gallbladder cancer. It’s unclear what type of cancer he is facing this time around, but we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
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