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Jerry Mathers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jerry Mathers | |
 from the trailer for the film The Trouble with Harry (1955) |
|
| Born | June 2, 1948 (age 58) Sioux City, Iowa, USA |
| Notable roles | Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver |
Jerry Mathers (born June 2, 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa), is best known for his role in the television sitcom series Leave it to Beaver (1957-1963), in which he starred as June Cleaver's youngest son, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver, a child living in a somewhat ideal family.
Mathers became the subject of an urban legend when it was falsely reported that he died in Vietnam. While he did serve in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, he remained in the United States. In 1969 (or 1968; sources differ) incorrect reports of his death were put out by Associated Press and United Press International when a similarly-named soldier was killed.[1][2]
Mathers also starred in the spin off TV series Still the Beaver (1983), reprising his role as Theodore Cleaver. Early movies included This Is My Love (1954), Men of the Fighting Lady (1954), The Seven Little Foys (1955) and The Trouble with Harry (1955). As he moved into his teenage years, Mathers retired from acting to concentrate on school. He suffered from dyslexia in his early life.
Mathers graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA degree in Philosophy in 1974. He began a successful career in real-estate development and banking. In order to pay for this, he used his savings from his acting career. In 1978, he reentered the entertainment industry. He has since starred in Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) and Playing Patti (1998). He has also been in Sexual Malice (1994), Down the Drain (1990), and It's Howdy Doody Time (1987).
Today, he is a highly requested speaker at national conventions where he addresses the emotional state of the American family and the effects of television on society today, using the fabled Cleavers from his early television career. He is also the father of three children; His son, Noah Mathers (1978) works in film and video production, and two daughters: Mercedes Mathers (1982), and Gretchen Mathers (1985) who attends college in Southern California. All of his children were with his wife Rhonda to whom he was married 14 years. He was married twice, although now is divorced.
