‘Leave It to Beaver’ star Tony Dow still alive despite statement about his death, wife confirms

The spouse of Tony Dow, the actor and director greatest recognized for his position as older brother Wally Cleaver on “Go away It to Beaver” who was reported lifeless on Tuesday, mentioned her husband remains to be alive.

Earlier, Dow’s representatives issued an announcement saying the passing of the beloved actor.

Lauren Dow confirmed to Eyewitness Information that her husband remains to be alive and respiratory, however is in hospice care of their dwelling.

She mentioned based mostly on some well being points that occurred in a single day, Lauren inferred that her husband had handed away, and he or she alerted folks near her.

Lauren mentioned she’s been distraught and grief-stricken about her husband’s well being battle the previous couple of months.

Whereas she might have mentioned her husband died, she confirms it was a miscommunication and regrets inflicting a commotion throughout a difficult time. She mentioned she “loves and adores” her husband of 42 years with all of her coronary heart.

A Fb put up that reported his demise has since been eliminated.

The actor – who was thrust into stardom at age 12 when he was forged on the soon-to-be-smash sitcom “Go away It to Beaver” – revealed in Could that he had been recognized with most cancers.

Dow, who mentioned he skilled undiagnosed melancholy from age 20 to age 40, spoke out for many years about his psychological well being challenges, lengthy earlier than it was frequent for celebrities to reveal that data publicly.

In 1993, he was an honorary speaker at a conference for the Nationwide Depressive and Manic-Depressive Affiliation.

“I understand there is a perceived irony about this,” he informed the Baltimore Solar of his melancholy in 1993. “You realize, the truth that I used to be in a TV program that epitomized the supposed ultimate world of the ’50s, and right here I am affected by melancholy. However I am simply certainly one of thousands and thousands.”

Dow informed CBS that after he accepted his analysis and started therapy, he discovered hope. He channeled that hope into artwork, too, sculpting ornate items at his dwelling studio.

“I believe folks ought to take the leap of religion that they will really feel higher,” he mentioned.

Dow continued to work in Hollywood, taking elements in TV collection and even reprising his position in “The New Go away It to Beaver” within the Eighties. He additionally directed episodes of collection like “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Coach” and “Star Trek: Deep Area 9.”

Jerry Mathers, who starred reverse Dow as Beaver on their hit sitcom, informed followers earlier this month that he’d been in touch with Dow, whose managers mentioned had been “out and in of the hospital with numerous issues and coverings.”

CNN contributed to this report.