It's been 56 years since a cute little munchkin named Theodore entered our lives as "The Beaver" in an all-American show about suburban family life. The first episode of "Leave It To Beaver" aired on October 4, 1957; the last episode was June 20, 1963. The sitcom was so popular it spawned a 1983 television movie, "Still the Beaver," and a follow-up series, "The New Leave It To Beaver," which ran from 1983 to 1989 and featured the once-young characters as the older generation.
Sadly, many of the original cast members are no longer with us. Hugh Beaumont, who played the stern but loving Ward Cleaver, died in 1982 at the age of 73. Barbara Billingsley, who played the always-helpful stay-at-home mom June Cleaver, died in 2010 at the age of 94.
Frank Bank, who played the sweet nitwit friend Lumpy Rutherford, died in April at the age of 71.
But Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver, is 68 and going strong as a grandfather and sculptor living in Southern California. He says he still talks frequently with the show's star, Jerry Mathers, who is now 65 and still acting. In 2007, he made his Broadway debut in "Hairspray." Ken Osmond, who played the trouble-making Eddie Haskell, is 70 and has continued to act in various sitcoms in the last few decades.
So take a look at the remaining cast members today. Do you still remember this show fondly?
The cast in 2007 including Jerry Mathers, Barbara Billingsley, Tony Dow (bottom row, left to right) and Frank Bank and Ken Osmond (top row, left to right).
leave it to beaver cast
Jerry Mathers
leave it to beaver cast
Tony Dow
leave it to beaver cast
The cast as it was...
leave it to beaver cast
1. Find Your Passion
"Heighten your sense of purpose by spending time enjoying a hobby, art form or support a cause that you love," says Lauren Moulton-Beaudry, the director of ethics and education for Front Porch, a not-for-profit provider of retirement communities in Southern California. "It’s doing things you’re passionate about that make you feel most alive."
2. Keep Abreast Of Current Affairs
"You don’t have to keep up with the Kardashians, but keeping up with current affairs as a whole -- locally, nationally and internationally -- allows you to stay in-the-know about what’s happening in your community and the world," said Moulton-Beaudry.
3. Break Routine
"Routine limits brain stimulation," said Moulton-Beaudry. "It is best to be open to new ideas and not dismiss things that are unfamiliar to you. Be open to trying a new restaurant, TV show or a different Sunday afternoon activity. Also, be open to both sides of an argument. It’s easy to stick to your beliefs (be it political, sports related, etc.) but understanding another point of view could turn an argument into a fulfilling conversation."
4. Be A Writer
"You’re more creative than you think. Consider writing a short story. Or better yet, think about your life experiences and create your own memoir," said Moulton-Beaudry. "Chances are you’ve shared your past experiences with friends and colleagues. These stories are important and can be appreciated by more people if they are put in writing. Whether your stories are fact or fiction, capturing those memories can lead to a very spiritual journey."
5. Be A Reader, Too
"Read all kinds of publications or try a new genre or author. Reading a wider variety of publications on a daily basis can stimulate creativity simply by absorbing as much content as possible," explained Moulton-Beaudry. "Reading every day will also help your brain form new connections and spark new ideas -- you may even gain a new perspective. So keep at it."
6. Attend A Lecture
"Attending a lecture, taking a class or learning something new in general can help stimulate the brain as well as initiate conversations with fellow attendees or the teacher. Learning something new keeps the mind fresh," Moulton-Beaudry told Huff/Post50.
7. Meet New People
"Stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting new people of all ages avoids isolation and provides much needed stimulation that helps us thrive," said Moulton-Beaudry. "Get to know your new friends, their hobbies and what they like to do. You may have more in common than you think."
8. Dine With A Friend
"Always find an opportunity to dine with someone else. Dining with new friends and people you haven’t seen in a while can provide intellectual stimulation," Moulton-Beaudry explained.
9. Volunteer
"Helping others can bring great joy to your life. Those in need can help you realize how important your time and talents are to others. Devoting free time to those in need can fill a great sense of purpose," Moulton-Beaudry said.
10. Embrace Your Spirituality
"Whether it is through religious practices, yoga or simply spending time outdoors communing with nature, exploring your spiritual side can lead to enhanced wellbeing that positively affects the mind, body and spirit," Moulton-Beaudry told Huff/Post50.
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