Even after the show ended, fans hadn't had enough of the Cleaver family. In this web exclusive, actor and artist Tony Dow, who beginning at age 12 starred as Wally Cleaver in the classic sitcom "Leave It to Beaver," explains to co. Menu. Ward Cleaver: Yeah. The Cleaver house that was shown on screen for most of the series is still standing in the Universal backlot. 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In another episode, he falls for a tennis playing "older woman" who uses him to make her estranged boyfriend jealous. After the directors decided to give the role to Dow, he would go on to be a permanent fixture on the show until its end. When the production for the show moved from the Republic Studios to Universal, they built a new version of the original house. Mathers genuinely had a cub scout meeting to go to after his audition, which he was anxious to get too. Current "New Leave It to Beaver" cast member Janice Kent, who is also in the audience, discusses becoming a part of the family in the new series. Ward was originally portrayed by Max Showalter in the pilot episode, while Wally was played by Paul Sullivan. The producers werent able to figure out a way for the show to go on without him, so they decided it would be best forLeave It To Beaver to go off the air. We spent a lot of time together. Unlike most TV shows today, the pilot that was shot for Leave It To Beaver featured several different actors than the ones who would later become famous for the show. Menu. Child actor Paul Sullivan, however, portrays the character in the series pilot, "It's a Small World", which aired in April 1957. During one 2014 interview, Mathers appeared onFox News to discuss his favorite recollections from the show. Luckily for Osmond, he was wearing a bullet proof vest, which ultimately saved his life. The star himself was cast as Theodore (Beaver) Cleaver at just eight years old. Wally, on the other hand was in 8th grade, meaning there was a six year gap between the boys. CBS first broadcast the show on October 4, 1957, but dropped it after one season. Wally Cleaver (Paul Sullivan) is the older son of Ward and June and the brother of Beaver. | Source: Wikimedia Commons. Paul Sullivan is known for The Book of Life (2014), Megamind (2010) and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019). Tony Dow wasnt an actor and had no prior acting experience when he started onLeave it to Beaver. Did you grow up watching the show? In the 1980s, Wally and Beaver were brought back to screens in a TV movie that featured them as parents, with June around as a loving grandma to their kids. Some of that stems from the fact that Tony Dow himself was an accomplished athlete, even before he made it onto the show. Their bedroom is a principal setting on the show. Neither song got very much air time, which was fortunate, because they werent considered to be that good. It would go on to enjoy a total of six seasons before it wrapped. 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. 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. The windshield created glare on film, so the crew removed it to avoid that issue. Hugh Beaumont was contentious about the role of Ward Cleaver, but fans would likely agree that he fit it perfectly. Jerry Mathers was around 8-years-old at the time he auditioned for the role. This just proves that Beaumont was a man of many talents. 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. Mathers didnt end up pursuing a music career in the end. Thankfully, his bullet-proof vest saved his life. After school time is spent practicing sports, and, once home, Wally spends most of his time doing schoolwork in his bedroom. That day, the world could have lost a great actor. Jimmy Hawkins. 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. He also included their friends in the friends of both Beaver and Wally. UnlikeBeaver,Happy Days was filmed during the 1970s, even though it took place in the 1950s. Dow explained,[I]f any line got too much of a laugh, theyd take it out. Some consider Mayfield to be in Wisconsin, because the town of Madison, as well as the Green Bay Packers, were mentioned. Later on, they reunited again to film the sequel series "The New Leave It to Beaver. In a first-season episode, Mary Ellen cultivates Beaver's friendship in order to get to Wally, then maneuvers Wally into going to a dance against his will. Many of the scenarios that Beaver and Wally found themselves in throughout the show often seemed to hit very close to the concerns of other children and teenagers their age. Many associate June Cleavers classic pearls as the quintessential look for a 1950s housewife, but the truth is, that wasnt necessarily every mothers uniform. 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. 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. Wally then becomes romantically involved with Mary Ellen Rogers, though the viewer often hears about her rather than sees her. Hugh Beaumont turned to acting for very different reasons that most performers. 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. It is during the course of the last episode the viewer learns how Beaver got his nickname. He later abandoned screentime to work as a radio broadcaster. 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. Jerry Mathers as Beaver Cleaver from the television program "Leave It to Beaver." Theres a lot of facts you might know. He became a Christmas tree farmer in the '60s but was forced to retire due to a stroke in 1972. 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. The first episode of the main series revolved around Wally and Beaver buying an alligator, which they needed to put in water. 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. "), such punishments never occur. Before he was a Beaver, actor Jerry Mathers was Little Ricky on the show "I Love Lucy" for one scene. (Getty Images) In May, Dow's wife Lauren Shulkind announced Dow's cancer had returned, just a month after . The boys were often shown in the bathroom. Two of Wally's friends are pictured, and they are greasy-looking punks. 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. Unlike most TV shows today, the pilot that was shot forLeave It To Beaver featured several different actors than the ones who would later become famous for the show. Fans can enjoy a tour of the iconic place even today. Wally is rarely seen doing regular chores around the house. There was a very specific reason producers found the young Jerry Mathers endearing when he showed up to audition for Beaver. Beaver became the first program to show a toilet on screen, but were only allowed to show the tank and handle. In one episode, Wally runs for class president but loses the election. Barbara's June wore formal attire along with pearls and heels during the show, but it wasn't all about style. When considering the most iconic 1950s cool guy, most people think of Fonzy fromHappy Days before rememberingLeave It To Beaver. He also included their friends in the friends of both Beaver and Wally. 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). The Soviet Union announced that it had launched "Sputnik I" into space on October 4, 1963, the same day the show debuted. The actor who played Larry, Robert "Rusty" Stevens, was born in 1948 and is still alive today. He didnt even audition forLeave it to Beaveroriginally, but a different show that was cancelled. The rumor spread like wildfire. It was Tonys luck, however, that whenLeave It To Beaver realized they needed to recast Wally, they remembered him and gave him a call. The Gold Coast in Australia, situated 62 miles southeast of Brisbane, has traditionally gotten a Pens & Patron is a travel site dedicated to wandering spirits. Wally is portrayed in the series by Tony Dow. 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. Paul Sullivan, Actor: Over the Top. Actor Paul Sullivan played Wally Cleaver in the show's pilot. Unlike most TV shows today, the pilot that was shot forLeave It To Beaver featured several different actors than the ones who would later become famous for the show. When the war broke out in Vietnam, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, wanted to enlist in the Marines. Son of actor Lyle Talbot Stephen was born on February 28 1949 in California. In real life, the actor wasnt much different. By 1963, no TV show had ever had a proper series finale, butBeaver found itself in a bit of a pickle. The house was constructed when the show moved its filming operations over to Universal, and the studio decided not to knock it down. Neither song got very much air time, which was fortunate, because they werent considered to be that good. Sullivan appeared on the shows pilot titled, Its A Small World.. Ward takes pity on the boys and buys them a bicycle. Instead, Mathers decided to join the United Air Force Reserve. The name "Leave It to Beaver" went from being a '50s classic to a household phrase and one of the most popular references in sitcom history. Back home, his son, Hunter, drove his mom and grandmother to work one day and lost control of the car. Movies. From Quiz: 'Leave It To Beaver'- The Pilot Episode! He was so worried about being late for the meeting, he informed the casting team that he had somewhere to be, which they absolutely loved. Both her pearls and her heels are one of the most cited examples of what it meant to be a housewife in the 1950s. The sum would amount to over $400,000 today. One would have imagined that booking such a popular show likeLeave It To Beaver would have been an exciting event, however, for Hugh Beaumont, it led to tragedy. Sadly, he passed away in 1982 from a heart attack at just 79 years old. 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. The network cancelled the show, butBeavers cancellation was short lived, as it was quickly picked up again by ABC. Menu. Trailer for Leave It to Beaver: The Complete Series. The show was canceled after the first season. Americans have been in love with the idealistic Cleaver family for generations since. He is an athlete with track, basketball and baseball being his three favorite sports; and, he excels at all. The pilot had no "canned" laughter in the background. Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher wrote the teleplay with Jerry Hopper directing the episode. He was 77. Beaumont didn't remain the show business after "Leave It to Beaver." And Im grateful for it and I enjoy it. It was Tonys luck, however, that whenLeave It To Beaver realized they needed to recast Wally, they remembered him and gave him a call. On the show, Wally was often portrayed as the successful older brother, who not only was smooth with the ladies, but was admired for his athletic prowess. Many episodes have a very brief "after school" scene in the kitchen between June and Wally. Even though Mary Ellen was Wally's principal romantic interest, Wally dated several other girls during his high school years. Because of that scene, the show was almost banned from the airwaves entirely. He ended up managing several cast members investments. The romance ends when Beaver sends Penny a toad in a nicely wrapped box. Wally, on the other hand was in 8th grade, meaning there was a six year gap between the boys. Out was Sullivan and in was Dow. When the show first debuted in 1957, its ratings were only so so, which caused executives at CBS to rethink their commitment to the program. "Leave It to Beaver" never made it to Nielsen's list of the top 30 shows of the time since there were a plethora of classic shows running at the time. In one episode, Wally grows a moustache over the summer, thinking Julie will be enchanted with his debonair look, and then the poor boy is humiliated when she laughs at it when he arrives back to school. When the purebred show cat was put in the tree for the scene, however, it was spooked by its surroundings and ran away. WhenLeave It To Beaver first debuted on CBS, strict censorship laws governed what could and couldnt be shown on TV. 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. In a play taken straight from Beaver's life, Mathers was shooting an episode where Beaver cares for a neighbor's cat. For the main series, producers cast Tony Dow to take Paul Sullivans place as Wally. In the first season of Leave It to Beaver, Wally is a thirteen-year-old in his final year (8th grade) at Grant Avenue Grammar School. He occasionally makes blunt or inappropriate comments that are bewildering or embarrassing to adults. June Cleaver: I think I'm going to ask them why they're collecting those things. If you were to go on a tour of the Universal lot, theres still a chance you too could visit the Cleaver house. They make Eddie Haskell appear likable. Ward was originally portrayed by Max Showalter in the pilot episode, while Wally was played by Paul Sullivan. "Leave It to Beaver" might be a hit series of its time, but initially it was canceled by CBS after the first season ended in 1958. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! | Source: Wikimedia Commons. This was because Paul Sullivan had grown too tall in between pilot and series. 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. But its not the main point of my life. The show's four main characters appeared in all 234 episodes of the show, and, in the opening sequence, were introduced in the following order: Read more about this topic: Leave It To Beaver Characters, I could live without acting. Acting is a gift Ive received. "Tony was a beautiful soul kind, compassionate, funny and humble," they said. Tony Dow appeared in the series proper as Wally for all the episodes. When asked about his relationship with Dow, Mathers fondly recalled their relationship on set. June Cleaver: All right, but we respected it last summer and they set fire to the attic! He sometimes clears the dinner table for his mother (i.e., he carries a few dirty dishes to the kitchen), and in one episode is seen drying dishes. Leave It to Beaver is a 1997 American comedy film based on the television series of the same name. At the age of five, Wally gave a newborn Beaver his nickname while trying to pronounce his given name of Theodore. I don't say he could have done as good a job as Hugh Beaumont, but he was acceptable. Leave It to Beaver is an iconic [1] American television situation comedy about an American family of the 1950s and early 1960s. A follow-up series called "The New Leave It To Beaver" followed in 1983 which featured the original characters as the older generation. You can thankLeave It To Beaver. Osmond's part as the two-faced teenage scoundrel, Haskell, was only supposed to be a one-off guest appearance. 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. WhenLeave It To Beaver first debuted on CBS, strict censorship laws governed what could and couldnt be shown on TV. He even directed a few episodes himself! James F. Hawkins is an American former actor, producer and writer. He didnt just act as Ward Cleaver, he also wrote a couple episodes. In the originalLeave it to Beaverpilot, Wally was played by actorPaul Sullivan. Because of that scene, the show was almost banned from the airwaves entirely. 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. For the main series, producers cast Tony Dow to take Paul Sullivan's place as Wally. Actor Paul Sullivan appeared only in the pilot as Wally Cleaver. 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. 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). The series premiered on a notable day in history, though it had nothing to do with the show that would become an icon in its own right later on. 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. One of the most noticeable goofs on the show was the changing age gap between Wally and Beaver. He didnt become a rockstar like his character wanted. 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. But for Pens & Patron is a travel site dedicated to wandering spirits. 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. The Cleaver family from the television program "Leave it to Beaver." | Source: Wikimedia Commons. The only actor who didnt return was Hugh Beaumont, who had died several years prior. Yes, after filming the pilot, Sullivan was growing and, well, grew out of the role. Movies. Jerry Mathers wanted to take a break from acting in order to focus on going to high school. In a play taken straight from Beavers life, Mathers was shooting an episode where Beaver cares for a neighbors cat. He left behind wife Kathryn Adam and their three children, Mark, Kristy, and Hunter. 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. Wally is a good student, who, unlike his brother Beaver, rarely gives his parents or teachers cause for concern. In 1997, the feature film Leave It to Beaver was released with young Erik von Detten as Wally.
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