'Leave It to Beaver' co-star Tony Dow dies at 77

FILE PHOTO: Actors Jerry Mathers (L) and Tony Dow, stars of the hit comedy series "Leave It To Beaver" act as presenters during a taping of the second annual TV Land Awards in Hollywood March 7, 2004. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Photo

(Reuters) - Actor Tony Dow, best known for his role as Wally Cleaver in the 1950s American TV hit sitcom "Leave It to Beaver," died Tuesday at age 77, his friends and management team said.

Dow, whose career in television as an actor, director and producer spanned seven decades, died on Tuesday morning, according to a statement posted to Facebook. A cause of death was not disclosed, though he and his wife, Lauren, said in May that he was suffering from a recurrence of cancer.