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Geez, Wally, You're an Abstract Artist Now

Tony Dow of 'Leave it to Beaver' fame makes name as sculptor

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 22, 2012 12:54 PM CDT

(AP) – He is, and likely forever will be, best known as good old Wally Cleaver, the big brother who had to bail out a goofball sibling facing one dilemma after another on the classic TV series Leave it to Beaver. For the last dozen years, though, Tony Dow has been carving out a new career, as a sculptor with pieces that have shown at numerous venues, including what is arguably the world's premier art museum—the Louvre in Paris.

Today, more than 30 of Dow's pieces in bronze, steel, and wood go on display closer to home at the Debilzan Gallery in Laguna Beach, California, and they could fetch several thousand dollars each from collectors. But despite his respected reputation as a sculptor, Dow acknowledges there could be as many people wanting to rub shoulders with the Beav's brother as see his art. "I think it's hard, especially with the Wally image, to be taken seriously at pretty much anything other than that," says the 67-year-old. Read the AP's full profile here.

Tony Dow, actor and artist, poses at his home and studio in the Topanga area of Los Angeles.
Tony Dow, actor and artist, poses at his home and studio in the Topanga area of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
One of Tony Dow's bronze pieces.
One of Tony Dow's bronze pieces.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Tony Dow and his wife, Lauren, pose at their home and studio in the Topanga area of Los Angeles.
Tony Dow and his wife, Lauren, pose at their home and studio in the Topanga area of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Tony Dow works on an abstract wood sculpture.
Tony Dow works on an abstract wood sculpture.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Tony Dow poses with his artwork.
Tony Dow poses with his artwork.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
A sample of Tony Dow's artwork.
A sample of Tony Dow's artwork.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
HarryBeaver
Sep 23, 2012 5:58 AM CDT
I remember this episode, June gets upset and needs a barbiturate after the bronze forge sets the garage on fire. 
Kookey90
Sep 22, 2012 9:57 PM CDT
Aside from collecting social security, I wonder what The Beaver is up to these days.
Spudsy
Sep 22, 2012 4:32 PM CDT
Nice to see a child star that hasn't zombied out on drugs while robbing convenience stores. 

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 

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