Barbara Billingsley, Beaver Cleaver’s TV mom, Dies

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Barbara Billingsley, who gained the title supermom for her gentle portrayal of June Cleaver, the warm, supportive mother of a pair of precocious boys in “Leave it to Beaver,” has died. She was 94.

Spokeswoman Judy Twersky says Billingsley died early Saturday at her home in Santa Monica. She had suffered from a rheumatoid disease.

She acted in a number of roles in movies from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s, but it wasn’t until “Leave it to Beaver” that she became a star.

When the show debuted in 1957, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, was 9, and Tony Dow, who portrayed Wally, was 12. Billingsley’s character, the perfect stay-at-home 1950s mom, was always there to gently but firmly nurture both through the ups and downs of childhood.

Comments (61)

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  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 12:28pm

    Ronald reagan 1980… What can I say… Typical liberal JackAss! Go Bray at those who also hate America like your self. Let we who love this land pull your useless ass out of the fire again as we usually have to do after you have screwed it up so badly its almost a lost cause. I hear Gibbsy has a fresh pitcher of Kool-Aid made just for you and yours… Go get your self another glass, likely paid for by hard working folks, a subject you have no knowlege of as is most of the topics you choose to address.

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • cotuit
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 12:05pm

    I miss those days.

    Report Post »  
    • Blacktooth
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:34pm

      Isn’t that the truth? The country does want to be back in those day‘s of the early 1960’s, before Vietnam and the Beatles, hippies. Yes even before our computers and cell phones. When my dear grandfather was still alive…..

      Report Post » Blacktooth  
  • cnerd
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:26am

    I am amazed that my 27 year old daughter loves the old reruns of Beaver on TV. It says that there is still some small hope for quality programming. And I agree. A real classy lady!

    Report Post » cnerd  
  • CapitalistforGod
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:14am

    Absolute talent! She was and is a great role model! And lived to the good young age of 94! WOW!!! God is delighted to have her with him in heaven for sure! Bye for now Mrs Cleaver, we all love ya and we look forward to seeing you again in heaven!

    Report Post »  
  • S.A
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:41am

    She Would have been the (PERFECT~FIRST~LADY)…maybe the CURRENT (So Called) FIRST~LADY..should WATCH~LET~IT to BEAVER.and get Some (POINTERS).

    S.A

    Report Post » S.A  
  • Capt_Spalding
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:39am

    Not only was she a cool mom but she had that great sense of humor. As someone else noted, she was on to Eddie Haskill and the other friends, not to mention Ward and her own boys. Her character wasn‘t naive but instead showed how uniquely wonderful mom’s can be… despite society’s preconceived ideas. God rest her soul.

    Report Post » Capt_Spalding  
  • We Are Not Alone
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:32am

    Thanks for the wonderful memories…. what a classy lady

    Report Post » Want our country back  
  • Govans56
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:24am

    I grew up with Leave it to Beaver, I never missed a show. RIP

    Report Post »  
  • charliego
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:59am

    Quintessential mom! Leave it to Beaver- back when TV was worth the watch as well as the syndicated replays. Epitome of values, principles and all American. Thank you, Bless you, and rest in peace Mrs. Cleaver!

    Report Post » charliego  
  • joseph Fawcett
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:51am

    Good bye, until later.

    http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist.

    Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
  • felina g
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:43am

    Thanks Mrs. C !

    Report Post »  
  • AU Patriot
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:14am

    I am so sad. She was a great actress. I pray for her family.

    Report Post »  
  • RONALDREAGAN1980
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:13am

    Thanks in no small part to my role in advocating trickle-down economics and diluting the power of unions, your children can probably forget about stay at home moms for their children. Oh well, at least all of my friends got rich. Who cares about the little people? Not me, and certainly not the republicans of today.

    Report Post » RONALDREAGAN1980  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:34am

      Stuff a sock in it. Ronaldus Maximus would never be that arrogant.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • NeeNee
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:56am

      Leave it to the progressives to sneak in a reply
      that has nothing to do with the topic at hand.
      How long did it take you to formulate this
      response? I guess the lib-trolls have their
      marching orders to insinuate their talking points
      into absolutely every post.

      I don’t know how old you are, RR1980, but take
      it from one who lived it—a mom with three children
      who lived through the Jimmy Carter years.
      Surely you remember 20% interest to
      borrow money, wild inflation and gas lines that
      stretched around the block?
      In Obammy’s words, Reagan had to
      “clean up Carter’s mess.” But I digress . . .

      We are discussing the loss of a TV icon and
      great lady.Taquoshi said it best: put a sock in
      it, RonaldReagan1980.

      Report Post »  
    • CapitalistforGod
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:00am

      Runnyrogain1980….. Highly disrespectful to a great woman!!!!… You have no class, no class at all. A sloth has more class than you, Go hang with your sticky faced 2nd grade classmates! And let Us who love Barbara have our time here in peace,

      Report Post »  
    • cotuit
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 1:14pm

      Clearly, you are not old enough to have been alive during the 80′s, let alone the 50‘s or 60’s.
      You know not of what you speak only what you have been told. Get aquainted with reality and show some
      respect.
      You have dishonored yourself. Now spend 10 minutes in the corner. And change your monikar, you are not worthy.

      Report Post »  
    • Ken
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:08am

      If this wasn’t a “fair and balanced” website, I’d tell you where to “stick it!!!”

      Report Post »  
  • GodfatherofBlog
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:47am

    RIP, Condolences to her family. The Nation has lost another Icon~!!!

    Report Post » GodfatherofBlog  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:35am

    Rest in Peace Sweet Lady…

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • BocaBaby
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:29am

    This is still my very all-time favorite show.

    I wonder what Ward would think of our communist Obama :)

    Report Post » BocaBaby  
  • mizflame98
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:27am

    I can only hope to live up to the standards of Ms. Billingsly. She played the perfect mom. She and her family will be in our prayers.

    Report Post » mizflame98  
  • The Grinch
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:27am

    Gee Mrs. Cleaver, we are sure going to miss you!

    Report Post »  
  • Momma M
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:15am

    Even today, my gandchildren love this show. Barbara Billingsly WAS the best example of the solid-values most of us would love to instill in out own children.

    And what do we give our kids today? I don’t know about you – but at 5:30 PM, a time when children are often in front of the tv while working-mom scrambles to feed them – my local station airs “Two and a Half Men”…

    And we wonder why are kids are all screwed up!

    Report Post » Momma M  
  • libertybella58
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:09am

    I too had a stay at home mom in the 50 and 60′s. Billingsly, Jane Wyatt and Donna Reed were the household queens of the day and set a shining example for middle class America. May they all R.I.P..

    Report Post » libertybella58  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:39am

      I wish we could go back to a time when raising our kids was more important than having ‘stuff’. I am a single working mom and I know for a fact that you can raise a child on one income, it’s just a matter of living within ones means. We have a modest house and an older car and don’t overspend. I started my own business out of my home and have always been home when my son walked through the door after school. Less stuff = the ability to spend more time with the children.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • Fletch
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:09am

    God Bless you Barbara

    thank you for all you shared with us

    Report Post » Fletch  
  • Independent Tess
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:03am

    Mrs. Cleaver was in my living room every week as I was growing up, I never missed Leave It to Beaver. And then the re-runs! I knew some of the dialog by heart. I can still hear her voice.

    Report Post » Independent Tess  
  • SamLiberty
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 7:38am

    My Mom was a stay at home Mom in the 50 and 60′s. I thank God for that.
    RIP Mrs. Cleaver.

    Report Post »  
    • angrymob
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:49am

      Mine too but in the 80′s & 90′s…I really appreciate that my mom was always there for me…we have an excellent relationship!

      Report Post » angrymob  
    • angrymob
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:55am

      There‘s a website that makes small tributes to those who’ve passed on (both celebrities and ordinary people)…don‘t know if they’ve got hers up yet but anyone who‘d like to look it here’s the link:

      http://www.findagrave.com/

      You can leave comments but you have to sign in with them…also you can make your own page for your loved ones who’ve passed away.

      RIP Mrs. Cleaver…

      Report Post » angrymob  
  • SamLiberty
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 7:37am

    My mom was a 50′s stay at home mom. I thank God for Her.
    May Ms. Billlingsley RIP,

    Report Post »  
  • Marcobob69
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 7:35am

    Nobody in 50‘s and 60’s tv played the mother better than Ms. Billingsley. Hollywood loses another treasure. :-(

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:40am

      The world has lost a treasure.

      Unto the arms of the Lord may she find rest and contentment unto the eternal ages beyond count to come for us all.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 2
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:06am

      I had the biggest chrush on Her when I was a young boy. I wasn’t born until the show was on for two years. In person She was one of us, love America and was afraid for the next Genaration of Children.

      Report Post »  
    • chirodoc007
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:16am

      I grew up with “Leave it to Beaver” re-runs and Mrs. Cleaver always saw right through Eddie Haskel’s lines. I think we all knew Eddies and our moms saw through them the way that Mrs. Cleaver saw through Eddie.

      Perhaps my favorite Barbara Billingsly memory however came from the insanely funny movie “Airplane”. Barbara played the straight laced “White Woman” that spoke JIVE when the stewardess couldn’t understand two black passengers on the plane. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpnHl8aXZpM

      Report Post »  
    • bboop1934
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:31am

      Oh, I agree.

      Report Post »  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:55am

      Barbara Billingsley; She was a very classy lady. She was a credit to mothers and a wonderful example for the world. Actually, the entire Leave it to Beaver show was beautifully produced. Some jeer at its wholesome theme, but I respect the classy image of a functional, and decent family. We need more of it, not less.

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
    • Huckabee Gingrich 12
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:48am

      “My, that sure is a lovely dress you’re wearing today, Mrs. Cleaver”. “Thank you, Eddie”.

      Report Post » Huckabee Gingrich 12  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:54am

      Somebody beat me to it…Grew up on Leave -it-to-Beaver episodes (some in prime time!) but it was here line in the movie “Airplane” that was a classic that she’ll be remembered for! God bless, and God speed!

      Report Post »  
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