After Premature Announcement Earlier This Week, 'Leave It to Beaver' Star Dies at Age 77

Actor Tony Dow, who played the character of Wally Cleaver on the classic TV family show “Leave It to Beaver,” has died at the age of 77 after a battle with liver cancer.

The announcement Wednesday followed one Tuesday that Dow was dead. His wife, Lauren Shulkind, mistakenly had told Dow’s management team that the actor had died after she was “very distraught” over his condition, according to the New York Post.

On Tuesday night, Dow’s son, Christopher, said his father was in “his last hours.”

On Wednesday, a post on Tony Dow’s Facebook page said the end had come.

“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,” the social media post said. “We know that the world is collectively saddened by the loss of this incredible man. He gave so much to us all and was loved by so many. One fan said it best—’It is rare when there is a person who is so universally loved like Tony.’”

“Christopher has stated: Although this is a very sad day, I have comfort and peace that he is in a better place. He was the best Dad anyone could ask for. He was my coach, my mentor, my voice of reason, my best friend, my best man in my wedding, and my hero. My wife said something powerful and shows the kind of man he was. She said: ‘Tony was such a kind man. He had such a huge heart and I’ve never heard Tony say a bad or negative thing about anyone,’ ” the Facebook post said.

Dow died due to complications from liver cancer, said his manager, Frank Bilotta, according to