By the end of the show, however, Beaver was set to begin high school, while Wally was graduating, meaning the gap had reduced to only a four year difference. 01:23 Tony Dow, the wholesome actor who portrayed "the perfect big brother" Wally Cleaver on the everlasting TV comedy Leave It to Beaver and its 1980s sequel, has died, his reps announced. It was a good title at face value, but the producers were afraid people might think the show was a nature program. In his later years, he became a stockbroker, after finding it hard to break allusions that he really was Lumpy. The writers didnt want the show to be too comedic. The pilot (originally proposed as Wally and The Beaver) was first televised April 23, 1957, on the syndicated anthology series, Studio 57, without a laugh track nor the series' well known theme song, "The Toy Parade". It just so happened that playing Ward Cleaver was the best way to do so. A follow-up series called "The New Leave It To Beaver" followed in 1983 which featured the original characters as the older generation. They've been collecting them all week. Wally also acts as a foil to the shenanigans of Eddie and Lumpy, but sometimes reluctantly goes along with them. Its characters were relatable, the show had a good balance of humor, and it felt like a real American family. The boys collect the bottle caps, but, in attempting to redeem them, learn they've been duped. 10. At other times, he clues the parents in on Beaver's activities, plans and feelings. James F. Hawkins is an American former actor, producer and writer. From Quiz: 'Leave It To Beaver'- The Pilot Episode! After the show, Ken Osmond left the acting business in order to become a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. More than 60 years after Leave It To Beaver first began airing in 1957, it still maintains its place in the pantheon of great television. One of the shows writers, Joe Connelly, based Wally and Beaver off of his own children, whose antics he would scribble down in a notebook on the regular. In real life, the actor wasnt much different. It would go on to enjoy a total of six seasons before it wrapped. Thereafter, he was cast as Clarence Rutherford in 101 episodes of . Ward was originally portrayed by Max Showalter in the pilot episode, while Wally was played by Paul Sullivan. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. It just so happened that playing Ward Cleaver was the best way to do so. Mathers was dressed in his cub scout uniform, however, it wasnt just a costume choice. So many people, in fact, that TV Guide ranked Eddie Haskell as #2 in their list of TVs 10 Biggest Brats on its March 27, 2005 issue. After the show, Ken Osmond went on to become a Los Angeles Police Officer. Most people think it was just part of the characters costume, but thats not why she wore them. Frank Bank (April 12, 1942 - April 13, 2013) was an American actor, particularly known for his role as Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the 1957-1963 situation comedy television series Leave It to Beaver.. Bank was cast in fifty episodes of Leave It to Beaver between January 24, 1958, until the series finale on May 30, 1963. For the main series, producers cast Tony Dow to take Paul Sullivan's place as Wally. Wally's first girlfriend on the show is Penny Jamison, a New York girl he meets during ballroom lessons at Miss Spencer's School of the Dance. One of the shows writers, Joe Connelly, based Wally and Beaver off of his own children, whose antics he would scribble down in a notebook on the regular. Tony Dow, the wholesome actor who portrayed "the perfect big brother" Wally Cleaver on the everlasting TV comedy Leave It to Beaver and its 1980s sequel, has died. One of the most noticeable goofs on the show was the changing age gap between Wally and Beaver. Jerry got a cut of the revenue from all those products, becoming the first child during the time to have had such an opportunity. In a play taken straight from Beaver's life, Mathers was shooting an episode where Beaver cares for a neighbor's cat. The season four episode shows Beaver stuck inside a giant bowl of soup on a billboard after he went to see if there was real soup in there. Barbara Billingsley chose pearls as part of her regular costume because she had a small scar on her neck that she deemed unsightly for the cameras. But where are the cast members now? For the main series, producers cast Tony Dow to take Paul Sullivans place as Wally. CBS first broadcast the show on October 4, 1957, but dropped it after one season. After rediscovery, it was aired as the third-season premiere for the 1980s TBS revival series The New Leave It to Beaver on October 4, 1987, exactly 30 years after the original series officially premiered on CBS. Jimmy Hawkins. At the age of five, Wally gave a newborn Beaver his nickname while trying to pronounce his given name of Theodore. Thank goodness they made some major changes before the actual first season began because there were some actors who needed to be replaced. During an interview for the shows 60th anniversary, Tony Dow toldToday that the shows writers didnt wantLeave It To Beaver to be filled with jokes that had audiences rolling on the floor in laughter. Keep . Oh, who are we kidding, we don't need to summon you guys! To hold the Franklin Milk in the Franklin Milk bottles. Though show may have been more internally consistent than most TV programs in history, but the fictional Mayfields general location seemed to be in flux. Despite the rumors, Mathers became the star ofBeaverspin off movies and TV shows in the 1980s, which was originally titled,Still The Beaver. Many associate June Cleavers classic pearls as the quintessential look for a 1950s housewife, but the truth is, that wasnt necessarily every mothers uniform. He even directed a few episodes himself! Mathers didnt end up pursuing a music career in the end. Left without their main star, the production team agreed the show would not be the same without him, so they decided to wrap it up. Even before Dow was cast, the producers were looking for someone athletic to fill the role, so Dow was a perfect fit. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. During an interview for the shows 60th anniversary, Tony Dow toldToday that the shows writers didnt wantLeave It To Beaver to be filled with jokes that had audiences rolling on the floor in laughter. His usual routine was to drive with his wife, son, and mother-in-law from Minnesota, but didnt have the time. The pearls would hide the scar from viewers, which made Billingsley more confident about her appearance. 9 of 9 found this interesting | Share this Thankfully, his bullet-proof vest saved his life. Id work with him all day, then wed go home to our families. Leave it to Beaverremains one of the best-beloved American sitcoms ever to air. Given the character he portrayed, its hard to image Lumpy as anything akin to suave. I was offended. Wally, on the other hand was in 8th grade, meaning there was a six year gap between the boys. There were tons of brands ranging from board games to comic books that were featured during the show. But for Pens & Patron is a travel site dedicated to wandering spirits. | Source: Wikimedia Commons. Unfortunately for Paul, he grew too much in the six month break before the show went to series. In order to be able to see the boys sitting in the back seat of the car, the glass was therefore removed, which solved the problem of glare. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! In 1986, Mary Ellen gives birth to their second child, Kevin (who was age advanced to 4 years old in the fall of 1987 and played by Troy Davidson). In order to be able to see the boys sitting in the back seat of the car, the glass was therefore removed, which solved the problem of glare. Ward takes pity on the boys and buys them a bicycle. Fans looked for clues in every episode, but soon found out from the writers and producers that the show was set in Mayfield, a fictional town meant to represent the American ideal. At the time, no show had ever shown a bathroom, and the censorship authorities wanted to do more than just remove the scene from the show. Then: Tony Dow Dow played Wally Cleaver in every episode of the show except for the pilot, when Paul Sullivan played the Beaver's polite older brother. Beaver became the first program to show a toilet on screen, but were only allowed to show the tank and handle. Wally Was Re-Cast, Too. Wally is the thirteen-year-old son of archetypal 1950s suburban parents, Ward and June Cleaver and the older brother of the seven-year-old ("almost eight") title character, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver. When considering the most iconic 1950s cool guy, most people think of Fonzy fromHappy Days before rememberingLeave It To Beaver. Surprisingly, the show ran for a total of four seasons, and included many of the original cast members real children as actors on the show. In June 1963, the series came to a close at milestones in the lives of Wally and Beaver: high school grad Wally preparing for State college and Beaver looking forward to entering Mayfield High. Our condolences. An epic family comedy that revolved around the lives of a family living in the suburbs, "Leave It to Beaver" captures the essence of being a child during the 1950s by following the adventures of a curious boy named Theodore aka "The Beaver.". One day after "Leave It to Beaver" star Tony Dow was pronounced dead by mistake, his son issued a confirmation Wednesday saying his father died after a long health battle in hospice care. Explore, taste, and write about the world. If you thought Eddie Haskell was a huge brat, dont worry, youre not alone. The pilot was misplaced but was found and aired as the third season premiere for the 1980s revival series The New Leave It to Beaver on October 4, 1987, 30 years after the original series premiered on CBS. It was the first series to have a true finale. 9. This wasnt because cars lacked the technology for them, but rather because the glass of the windshield created a glare when filmed by the cameras. Many audience members reminisce about how June Cleaver was always pristine, even while engaging in all sorts of housework. Trending. Hugh Beaumont turned to acting for very different reasons that most performers. Since then, the black and white show has gone down in history as one of the trailblazers for tv and film. ", Actress Barbara Billingsley attends the opening of "Radio City Christmas Spectaculor" on December 11, 1998 at the Universal Ampitheater in Universal City, California | Photo: Getty Images. Paul Sullivan is an actor, known for Over the Top (1987) and Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008). If you were to go on a tour of the Universal lot, theres still a chance you too could visit the Cleaver house. Traveling with kids can seem like a daunting prospect if youve never done it before. The pearls would hide the scar from viewers, which made Billingsley more confident about her appearance. While most of the shows back in the 1960s ended abruptly, "Leave It to Beaver" bid farewell with a look back to its previous episodes in "Family Scrapbook.". Showcase yourself on IMDbPro Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Known for Leave It to Beaver 7.6 TV Series Wally Cleaver 1957 1 ep Official Detective 8.0 TV Series Tommy Harrison 1957 1 ep Studio 57 7.9 TV Series Wally Cleaver The original pilot never aired with the mainLeave it to Beaverseries. He often showed off his personal flare by coming up with constant nicknames for the other characters, most of which were improvised by Ken Osmondon the spot. Production was shifted to a different backlot, and other than their air time changing, the show otherwise remained the same. In the later seasons, Wally has a few after school jobs and buys a used car. Miss Simms ( Diane Brewster) is a secretary/receptionist at the Franklin Milk Company. At the beginning episodes of the show, Barbara Billingsley wore flat shoes. Bullies have always seemed to be around, and Frank Bank was the perfectly horrible bully on the show named "Lumpy." Leave it to Beaver: Jerry Mathers Said Show Had to Move On from Original Wally Cleaver for One Reason. His friends, Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford and Eddie Haskell, have a knack for getting into trouble and taking Wally along for the ride. For his appearance, he pulled out the old interview uniform, explaining that during the shows run, he and Tony Dow would wear a Mayfield High School letterman sweater for their press appearances. Mathers didnt end up pursuing a music career in the end. He was otherwise an ordained minister with a degree in theology from University of Southern California. The town was Skokie, Illionis, but the footage wasnt taken for the show. Ward Cleaver: It's nothing to be alarmed about. Toilet scenes were not shown on television back then, but "Leave It to Beaver" became the first although it was just the tank. Jerry Mathers was around 8-years-old at the time he auditioned for the role. Leave It To Beaver had a curious effect on fashion trends of the era. Here's a look at what became of them. A growth spurt. In 1985, a sequel to the original series was produced called Still the Beaver, again starring Jerry Mathers and other original cast members. Ward Cleaver: Oh, no, June, don't you dare think of such a thing. Paul Sullivan, who initially portrayed Wally, was replaced by Tony Dow after going through a growth spurt following the filming of the pilot episode. The actress wore pearls to conceal the hollow in her neck. In a play taken straight from Beavers life, Mathers was shooting an episode where Beaver cares for a neighbors cat. Jerry Mathers as Beaver Cleaver from the television program "Leave It to Beaver." In 1983, CBS aired the reunion telemovie Still the Beaver starring Jerry Mathers. Wally is based on Connelly's son, Jay. To that end, executives attempted to make a pop star out of Jerry Mathers in addition to being a TV star. Luckily, ABC aired the rest of the five seasons later on. There was a very specific reason producers found the young Jerry Mathers endearing when he showed up to audition for Beaver. The pilot episode of the series was originally titledWally and the Beaver. June Cleaver, portrayed by Billingsley, notably wore pearl necklaces in every single episode. Before acting onLeave it to Beaver,Hugh Beaumont was a Methodist minister. Its just stock footage they paid to use. Dow portrays an adult Wally Cleaver in both the reunion telemovie, Still the Beaver (1983), and in the sequel series The New Leave It to Beaver (19851989). And to celebrate our own enjoyment of the show, we're taking a look at the lives and careers of Hugh, Barbara, Tony and Jerry. When the show opens, Beaver is seven years old ("almost . Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) is the younger son of Ward and June Cleaver and Wally's brother. Wally spends his time in the bedroom at a small desk doing school assignments, the boys entertain their friends in the bedroom, and the room is often the scene of Ward's disciplinary lectures. The network cancelled the show, butBeavers cancellation was short lived, as it was quickly picked up again by ABC. Instead, his son drove the family, but ended up in an accident on the way, which Hughs mother-in-law didnt survive. What happened to take him out of the spotlight? I'm happy to see it has survived television, child psychology and the inroads of progressive education. He was played by Tony Dow, who went from being an Olympics diving champion to one of the most unforgettable faces on tv. Billingsley followed up her run with a role in the sequel, "The New Leave it to Beaver," which aired in the '80s. In another episode, he falls for a tennis playing "older woman" who uses him to make her estranged boyfriend jealous. Hugh Beaumont might have hated the show, but he did a lot for it anyway. His son announced the news, revealing that loved ones surrounded the actor as he went and adding, "he was loved and will be very missed." Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts. In another episode, however, Beaver mentions being only 30 miles from the beach. When the purebred show cat was put in the tree for the scene, however, it was spooked by its surroundings and ran away. Actor: The Natural. By the time those pesky Alice Cooper rumors spread, Ken Osmond had been a police officer for over 18 years! Beaumont didn't remain the show business after "Leave It to Beaver." He became a Christmas tree farmer in the '60s but was forced to retire due to a stroke in 1972. Beaver was relegated to the background. Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wally_Cleaver&oldid=1129258944, Articles that may contain original research from April 2022, All articles that may contain original research, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, student; various after school jobs including newspaper carrier, drug store soda jerk, and ice cream vendor, This page was last edited on 24 December 2022, at 10:31. He remained on good terms with his former television family until the end. The characters grew older along with the actors. Let's take a look at 15 "Leave It to Beaver" facts that fans might not know. Son of actor Lyle Talbot Stephen was born on February 28 1949 in California. Despite the fact that Beavers friend Lumpy was seen as the ultimate nerd throughout the show, when the actor, Frank Bank wrote his autobiography as a result, he claimed that he was rather gifted when it came to his romantic relationships. Itd be weird if a show didnt tie up all of its loose ends. Paul Sullivan did not have much of an acting career outside of this pilot. In the episode, the Cleavers reminisce over old photos in a scrapbook while flashback clips are played from previous episodes. There was good reason the boys lives were so relatable to viewers. Yet another episode made it seem like Mayfield was in Ohio, because Wally supposedly went to a school near Shaker Heights. The pilot had no "canned" laughter in the background. Trending. Frankie Bennett, a mischievous boy, tells them new bikes can be had at a local dairy in exchange for 1,000 bottle caps from the company's products. In Still the Beaver and The New Leave It to Beaver, Wally is married to high school-sweetheart Mary Ellen and is an attorney engaged in private practice. When the war broke out in Vietnam, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, wanted to enlist in the Marines. She only began wearing heels as the two boys began growing, so she could better appear to tower over them, especially when dealing with their many misdeeds. Eddie was played by the actor Ken Osmond, but due to a little mix up in an interview, many viewers believed Eddie Haskell grew up to become Alice Cooper, the rock musician. Sneaky Frankie Bennett tells Beaver that he can win a new bicycle by entering a popular television show's Franklin Milk bottle-cap contest, but Beaver and big brother Wally cause quite a com Sneaky Frankie Bennett tells Beaver that he can win a new bicycle by entering a popular television show's Franklin Milk bottle-cap contest, but Beaver and big brother Wally cause quite a commotion at the milk company's office when no one there seems to know anything about a conte Sneaky Frankie Bennett tells Beaver that he can win a new bicycle by entering a popular television show's Franklin Milk bottle-cap contest, but Beaver and big brother Wally cause quite a commotion at the milk company's office when no one there seems to know anything about a contest after the boys show up to claim their prize, pulling a wagon loaded with a thousand bot See production, box office & company info. "Tony was a beautiful soul kind, compassionate, funny and humble," they said. However, the actor didn't quite follow through with his early career. His dating life is sometimes frustrating as he tries to deal with the thoughts and emotions of teenaged girls. The audition led to the producers forLeave it to Beaverdiscovering his talent and asking him to act as Wally Cleaver. 1928), No author has created with less emphasis such pathetic characters as Chekhov has.Vladimir Nabokov (18991977), Like a bad doctor who has fallen down sick you are cast down, and cannot find what sort of drugs would cure your ailment.Aeschylus (525456 B.C. The only actor who didnt return was Hugh Beaumont, who had died several years prior. He carves the roast at dinner and monitors Beaver's behavior. Mathers recalled that it took nearly 5 days to find the frightened kitty. | Source: Wikimedia Commons. Jerry Mathers (who was cast as Theodore Beaver Cleaver) in 2007. The house was constructed when the show moved its filming operations over to Universal, and the studio decided not to knock it down. The ministry to which he was assigned happened to be extremely poor, so he needed to find another source of income. That day, the world could have lost a great actor. Dow explained,[I]f any line got too much of a laugh, theyd take it out. Wally and Beaver may have been the center of the show, but the story certainly wouldnt have been the same without having Eddie Haskell in the mix. When asked about any on set mishaps in his Fox News interview, Mathers had one very particular story that wasnt well known otherwise. Theres more to the tale of the toilet onLeave It To Beaver than simply being censored for wanting to show a toilet. The last episode was a retrospective one called "Family Scrapbook" and has claimed its place in TV history as the first prime time sitcom episode specifically written as a series finale. The movie was developed into a new series titledThe New Leave It To Beaver. Answer: Alice When Miss Landers (Sue Randall) decided to get married, the newspaper carried a story about it wherein her name, Alice, was given. Sullivan appeared on the shows pilot titled, Its A Small World.. Leave it to Beaver was created by writers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher, who found inspiration among their own children for plot lines and dialogue. He is more astute and experienced than his brother and often puts parental communications in simpler terms for Beaver's comprehension. | Source: Wikimedia Commons. Fox News reports that Osmond became a Los Angeles Police Department officer for 18 years before becoming a celebrity spokesman. Oops? To that end, Beaumont was able to play a part in writing for several episodes ofLeave It To Beaver, as well as to also direct some of the episodes. Some of that stems from the fact that Tony Dow himself was an accomplished athlete, even before he made it onto the show. Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont as June and Ward Cleaver from the television program "Leave it to Beaver." In the 1997 film adaptation of the original series, Leave It to Beaver, Wally is portrayed by Erik von Detten. Under their guidance, Jerry recorded two singles, Dontcha Cry and Wind Up Top. The day the series began running was October 4, 1957, which was the same day that the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the very first satellite into space. Child actor Paul Sullivan, however, portrays the character in the series pilot, "It's a Small World", which aired in April 1957. June Cleaver: All right, but we respected it last summer and they set fire to the attic! The movie was developed into a new series titledThe New Leave It To Beaver. Ward Cleaver: Yeah. I don't say he could have done as good a job as Hugh Beaumont, but he was acceptable. He was so adorable that he landed the role immediately. Tony Dow almost didnt make it into the acting business, but rather decided to tag along with a friend of his who was a lifeguard at one of the pools he swam in. Were very good friends. Yes, after filming the pilot, Sullivan was growing and, well, grew out of the role. Its clear from his profession as a minister, as well as the fact that he had gotten a Masters degree, he was interested in more serious pursuits. Bank became a stockbroker and lived his life his own way before passing away in April 2017. Matthers returned to television for a reunion, "Still the Beaver" in 1983, and appeared in a few episodes of the famous series, "Lassie." Movies. Somehow, a myth was begun and perpetuated that Mathers had in fact been killed in Vietnam, which is ironic because the military wouldnt let him serve for that reason. [1] The series made its CBS debut several months later on October 4, 1957, with the episode, "Beaver Gets 'Spelled". At 69, Jerry Mathers hasnt been acting much lately, but he did surprisingly end up the focus of a tragic rumor during his mid-life years. They didnt want a big laugh; they wanted chuckles. You may have wondered why the humor of the show was styled as such, so its nice that Dow provided the answer. After he was cast as Ward Cleaver, he had to get himself to California pronto, which meant flying. During an interview with MeTV, Jerry Mathers, revealed the reason directors decided to find a new Wally. In 1983, the cast got together again for the filming of the TV movie "Still the Beaver." Before shows likeLeave it to Beaver, it wasnt couth to show bodily functions on screen, or even imply them. Unfortunately for Paul, he grew too much in the six month break before the show went to series. In one episode, he declines a vacation trip with his family to stay at home near his current flame, then discovers she has left town with her parents for a vacation trip. Not all passports are created equally. His usual routine was to drive with his wife, son, and mother-in-law from Minnesota, but didnt have the time. Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver ( Jerry Mathers) is the younger son of Ward and June and the brother of Wally. He would wear his Cub Scouts uniform to the several rounds of audition and tell everyone that he was anxious to get to his den. More than 60 years after Leave It To Beaver first began airing in 1957, it still maintains its place in the pantheon of great television. Jerry Mathers, the main star, resigned to focus on his high school education. Other cast members include Russ Thorson as Man with Milk Bottles, Leonard Bremen as Milk Bar Operator, Tim Graham as Doc, and Virginia Carroll as Nurse. Of course, the show would not have become what it is without the beloved cast members who made up the "All-American Family." For instance: Ward Cleaver is played by Casey Adams. The family lives at 213 Pine Street next door to his widowed mother June, Beaver, and Beaver's sons; Ward had died shortly before the events of Still the Beaver take place (series star Hugh Beaumont had died in 1982). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. However, when she kissed Casey on the lips right off the bat, I felt she was cheating on Beaumont! The first episode of the main series revolved around Wally and Beaver buying an alligator, which they needed to put in water. Gerald Patrick Mathers (born June 2, 1948) is an American actor best known for his role in the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver, originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963.