Find Out Where Jerry Mathers Is Now as He Is Set to Receive an Icon Award
CBS is gearing up to honor the best family-friendly content on television. During the 27th Annual Family Film and TV Awards, Jerry Mathers, best known for playing Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver, will be given the Icon Award. The 76-year-old became one of the most popular child stars of the ’50s and ’60s and secured his spot in classic TV fame.
He started in commercials at just 2 years old, but he got his big break when he was cast in Leave It to Beaver in 1957. Reportedly, he was cast in the role because he wore his Cub Scout uniform to the audition, as he was in a hurry to get to his meeting right after. The producers found him endearing and loved his approach to playing the Beaver.
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After the series ended, Mathers decided to take a break from acting to focus on his education. He attended high school in Los Angeles and went to the University of California — Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in philosophy. Then something very odd happened.
There was a rumor that he died in the Vietnam War
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After college, he served in the Air National Guard. For many years, there was a rumor that he died in the Vietnam War. Obviously, Mathers has dispelled this rumor, but it still pops up from time to time since he lives a relatively quiet life these days. After college and the military, he worked as a commercial loan officer at a bank, a real estate agent and a disc jockey at KEZY radio in Anaheim, California.
Tony Dow & Jerry Mathers toured the dinner theater circuit
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In the late ’70s, Mathers and his TV brother Tony Dow starred in a play called Boeing, Boeing. Then they traveled the dinner theater circuit in a production of So Long, Stanley, written specifically for the TV brothers. The two remained close until Dow’s death in 2022.
He reconnected with fans in a revival
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Mathers revived his role as Beaver in the made-for-TV movie Still the Beaver. This reignited interest in the show and its characters, which led to the revival series The New Leave It to Beaver. The show focused on Beaver as a divorced dad trying to make things work as a single parent. It was well received.
Where is Jerry Mathers now?
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Besides receiving the Icon Award, Mathers often appears at fan conventions. He hasn’t acted since 2015, when he appeared in a short film, but he has embraced public speaking over the years. Mathers was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the late ’90s and decided to work on his health by losing weight and eating healthier. He has spoken to crowds about health and diabetes awareness. He has been married three times, first to Diana Platt, then to Rhonda Gehring and finally to Teresa Modnick. He has three children from his marriage to Gehring. The two met while touring for So Long, Stanley.
Congratulations, Jerry! You can watch the 27th Annual Family Film and TV Awards on CBS Nov. 9 at 8pm ET.
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