Breaking News
Tony Dow, ‘Leave it to Beaver’ and ‘General Hospital’ Alum, Still Alive But in ‘Last Hours’ Despite Reports On His Death
UPDATED: Since the original posting of this article, Tony Dow has now passed away. On Wednesday, July 27th his son, Christopher confirmed his death on Facebook sharing: “Tony passed away earlier this morning, with his loving family at his side to see him through this journey. 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.”’
The original post below is the story on how Tony’s wife, Lauren Dow, had shared that her husband was still alive after erroneous news articles on his death were premature:
Lauren Dow, the wide of Tony Dow, best-known of his role of Wally Cleaver – the All-American older brother of “Beaver” Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) on the TV sitcom, Leave it to Beaver, shares that he is still alive amid previous reports of his passing early today.
Earlier, Tony’s management team had posted news of Dow’s death at the age of 77 on a Facebook post, but that has since been taken down.
Now comes word from Lauren to ABC7 in Los Angeles, that her husband is still breathing, but is in hospice care in their home. She admitted that based on some health issues that happened overnight, she inferred that Tony had passed away when she informed people close to her and the family.
However, Dowd’s son Christopher confirmed to PEOPLE that his father, “is still alive but in his last hours. Under hospice care.”
Daytime fans recall that Tony played the part of Ross Jeanelle on General Hospital back in the mid-70’s. On GH, Ross was investigating the murder of Dr. Phil Brewer and in story, Ross also dated nurse Beth Maynard, who was the sister of Diana Taylor.
Some of Dow’s other TV credits included: Adam-12, Mod Squad, Emergency, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote plus he directed numerous TV episodes.
Share your thoughts and prayers for Tony Dow and his family via the comment section.
He was only on GH briefly during the Phil Brewer murder mystery. He did however have the starring role in the teenage daytime soap “Never too Young”. The show was ahead of it’s time but only had a brief run. It was replaced by “Dark Shadows”.
Greg
I never saw him on GH or the other show you mentioned but I watched him and Beaver during his long run on Leave It to Beaver. I even enjoyed his best friend Eddie Haskell. I still watch those old shows once in a while.
Thank you Tony for all the fun years you gave us all. Bless Tony and his family at this time. Hospice is not a happy time for patient or family to go through.
Violet, how I loved the BEAVER! I watched every episode repeatedly, back in the days of afternoon reruns. I know those shows were a limited view of real life in America…but they were so sweet and hopeful that I refuse to minimalize or dismiss them as modern audiences may. What’s wrong with a little bit of fantasy for a while when we watch T.V.? We have reality all day long!
Soaphound
I think I watched repeats of repeats. The show came out in 1957, the year my 2nd child was born, but did not watch until the repeats started and by then my two kids watched with me. Remember the trouble Beaver and Larry got in to? I Googled the cast and the ones that are still alive are very old, but it’s fun seeing them then and now.
Sad to hear. A great guy. Years ago I worked at the Los Angeles Mission and met countless daytime/primetime/movie stars. He coached men in volleyball there in the evenings with Bill Fagerbakke and his own son Chris. He is a humble man like most celebrities once you get over the excitement and deal with them regularly. Same with Zsa Zsa Gabor and her sister Eva. There they weren’t preening divas like you’d thought. Prayers for him and his family.
This, to me, reads vaguely like the reports of Tanya Roberts’ death, non-death and then eventual death. Sad.
Tony Dow on General Hospital: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRepVXva7zM
It’s from 1975, so don’t ask why it’s in black & white
This is a great clip, Satan! I think you alerted me to this one previously, as it features my fave, Valerie Starrett as Diana Taylor. Great to see her with Denise Alexander and, of course, the late Tony Dow.
We’re lucky that any clips exist from when GH was a half-hour long. As was daytime practice, the network reused tapes until the show went to an hour long in 1978. Be interested to find out how this clip got posted as most YouTube GH clips are from
Home users. The Betamax launched in the US late in 1975 – the year this clip aired. Hard to imagine someone hooking an (in those days) expensive VCR up to a black & white tv.
Are they THAT anxious to move on? This is twice now. And it’s weird. He passed. No.He’s breathing. SMH. Why do that?
daviestev1
I kind of wondered at first, don’t they have enough on their plate without so much attention to publicity, announcements, etc.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.
Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.
While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100, A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman
HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM
Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.
There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC
A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN
In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”
Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”
So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
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