"Leave It to Beaver" actor Tony Dow on depression
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- čas přidán 4. 08. 2024
- In this web exclusive, actor and artist Tony Dow, who beginning at age 12 starred as Wally Cleaver in the classic sitcom "Leave It to Beaver," explains to correspondent Jim Axelrod how he dealt with a depression that began, he says, at a young age. Watch the full interview with Tony Dow on "CBS Sunday Morning" January 16!
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Depression is a lonely disease. If you tell someone you have cancer or heart disease, they will immediately sympathize. If you mention depression, they look at you as being weak. A lot of people see depression as a character flaw.
Thank you for saying and acknowledging this. Very true..
Sometimes they look at you as weird, or unpredictable in behavior. Actually, many otherwise healthy and mentally stable people go through depression. Different things can trigger it. A LOT of people are going through it now, and the compassion of ordinary people can REALLY help people get through it. But sometimes medicine is needed, and this is the rightful decision of qualified doctors. Thanks, Tony; I love your video. Here's wishing you good health and much happiness!😀😁😆😄😀
They do! I guess because it runs counter to our culture of self sufficiency and "can do " capitalism but also because it is misunderstood as something like a personality trait or mood rather than a disease.
My entire life, I can not get out of my own way. Never have been "diagnosed" with depression, but it is very real for me, and some days it is all that I can do to get out of bed, and beer is my friend.
Exactly! This needs to be taken more seriously
Tony Dow deserves recognition for talking about this and giving others hope. Thank you, Tony! : )
As someone who struggles with severe clinical depression, my heart goes out to all who suffers from it. It's real and It's no joke. Let's be kind to one another.
Yes, indeed. It’s gonna be rough, since some people in the world don’t seem to care or even spread acts of kindness, regarding the issue, but if they really listen to other people’s feelings about that entire issue, then something might come forward.
Yes Lindsey we should be kind towards each other. I too suffered from depression.
Same here. It is awful.
@@crazydee1955 hey Diane my name is Johnathan Shell just remember that Jesus Christ is our lively hope.
Yes, of course, we never know what someone is actually going through. Kindness, compassion, and love goes a long way to show one some much needed consideration.
Rest in peace Wally Cleaver. You brought immense joy into my childhood
Nobody could have played the role of Wally Cleaver better than Tony Dow, he is one of my favourite actors.
He was the best "big brother" a guy could have...❤ I'll love you always Wally! 💔😥❤
I've loved Tony Dow my entire life. Wish I could hug him.
He is still handsome
Me too
Exactly. Me too.
I’m so glad Tony was willing to discuss his depression. I know he has helped so many people by doing so. He’s such a sweet man.
Depression is very serious!
Tony I sought out all your film and television work. When I was in a nursing home, you cheered me up on tv. My friends had abandoned me. My family was gone. My fiance was emotionally sick and disappeared after attempting suicide. Watching you and the goodness your character radiated really helped me through my illness. I thank you!
That's good that Tony is able to talk about his depression. You know, a lot of people have certain levels of depression in their lives, and I'm sure it helps a lot of those people to hear from someone like Tony whose has depression, because sometimes you can feel all alone in your depression or anxiety.
RIP Tony! God bless you and thank you for all you have done, especially sharing your journey and hope with depression.
Hurts more than a broken arm...I literally said "wow Tony" at the profoundness of this statement. I've felt this way many, many times, and I stand with and pray for everyone in struggle against depression. ❤🙏🏽
Mental health can be every bit as painful as physical health.
@soulstrenth 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Rest in eternal peace Tony. You left behind an amazing legacy. Heart goes out to all his family & friends left behind
" ...depression isn't something you can say: Cheer Up about...". Thank you for saying that. I have been depressed nearly my whole life and having people, even my own mother, tell me to " cheer up " often times struck me as incredibly stupid " advice ". You wouldn't advise someone with cancer to " just get better ", so please people, stop treating depression or any mental illness as a CHOICE.
Thank you so much for sharing this , I have suffered from depression my whole life and it is very misunderstood, it has been a journey and one of the many things that helps is support 💜
I didn’t know Tony Dow had depression, and even from his days on the show. Wow, I feel such respect for him speaking up about how depression works on your mind and body. Spoken in terms anyone can understand.
What a lovely and sweet gentleman he was ,may he rest in peace 🙏
This guy lived a good clean life an sone stuff is beyond our control an makes you think live every day like tomorrow is your last. Amazing how young he looked an healthy damn
I grew up with Wally and the Beav. Tony was a great man.
"Ah gee, Wally" ... talented actor and sculptor, insightful and youthfully "evergreen," still creative at 77, "the good die young." Rest in deserved peace and eternal bliss.
I was told "grow up" with my depression as a kid. medicine does help.
Never has-Maybe MDMA& a really good lay,I dunno.....
Medicine AND therapy.
Thank you for this Tony Dow. Nobody can see depression, it hides.
The medication can help, if you really admit you need it. I have suffered with depression over 30 years, but in the past 5 years I have learned how to deal with it. Having a small group of good friends helps. It is because they understand you, for what you are. A good doctor and therapist help alot too. To me journalling helps me alot. As well as prayers and meditation. Thank you again Tony. Love and prayers from Canada 🇨🇦❤🙏🕊🌹
Just found out the he passed away, watched this show regularly as a kid, along with "The Brady Bunch"!Thank you, Mr. Dow, for all of the joy you brought us, RIP!
His wife made a mistake saying he was dead yesterday. He is still alive right now and is in hospice care. It will be a matter of hours though.
I can still see some of the mannerisms he had on the show when he was a kid ,that's a good thing . I hope he's around for a long time and feeling better .
You can't help but like Tony Dow. Prayers to him and his family as he battles his most recent diagnosis of cancer.
A very sad day today. May Tony rest easy and his family comforted by their precious memories. He was loved by so many that he never knew.
Tony Dow is a very kind and talented man, a true class act.
Thank you. Deflate is the perfect word to describe depression onset.
Poor Tony, never knew this about him, so sorry, I feel for him, I go through bouts of depression but not to his extent. Glad he's got help it's not easy Tony. Your a great man you just keep your chin up we love our Wally . God bless you. Prayers for you ❤️🙏🌞
Thank you, Mr. Dow!
Thanks for opening up and sharing, Tony. As a fellow sufferer, I understand what it is to struggle with this dark disease. Thank goodness I had incredible professionals and wonderful support from my wife, family, and friends to help me recover.
RIP Tony
You seem to be a good person 😇
But with a troubled soul…
God Bless you and your family 🙏
I thank you for being open about your depression, it’s heart Breaking that not recognizing the fact that when you have depression and they see you like you say is being weak or that you’re sick.
Not a true fact. More people may have depression but decide to self medicate instead of seeking help.
R.I.P. 🪦Tony …You were one of my favorite old school tv 📺 actors. GOD bless you. ✌🏻
I feel really bad that he went through that. I'm glad he found a way to get through it but it's no joke. He's somebody that I'd like to meet in person and just thank him for a great lifetime of memories. I thought he was a really good actor and he seems like a really good human being.
Met him when he was in his twenties (I think) and I was a kid. He was super nice and polite irl.
This was a good piece. Blessings to Mr & Mrs Dow.
It's so sad. I can't help but feel sorry for him
Wonderful interview. Huge fan!
Mr. Dow says depression results from anger turned inwards. I have been depressed for as long as I can remember, but have never felt real "anger". I have never liked myself, and at times loathe myself, because I am totally insecure, inept, and incompetent. I have accomplished zero with my life. What's worse, is I have no motivation to change, and at age 61, the game is over. Because of this, I have never dated, let alone married, and am alone and will die so. The flip side (for me, anyways) of depression, is anxiety. Any time I have loss in life, I can't function - sleep eludes me, as well as any hope. Never have gone to see if I have "clinical" depression, but it is very real to me, and I do not wish to be on medication.
Depression is a struggle and I’m glad he got through it like I did.
So brave of Tony to share this aspect of his life! It will definitely be part of his legacy, too. Rest in peace +
Anger turned inward causes depression.
Had a chance to communicate with him via FB Messenger a while ago. I watch the re-runs at age 62. Wish my family had been more like his on the show. RIP, Tony, RIP.
I find for me what works. Weather it's a bike race or distance running. Your ahead. This is where you have be strong and not do anything that will cause you to lose. You have to be strong and try to not let it get the best of you. I've been there.
Never once in our loved one's lifelong depression, did any dr say it was "anger turned inward". It would've helped SO much! Thank you for that revelation, and closure.
Timothy Fitz comment (below) hits it right on the head. Thanks also to you Tony, for sharing how it can happen to anyone.
RIP Tony. You will be missed
Sending love Tony ❤❤❤
Many of us have a story and while attending City Well United Methodist I shared with the new
womanist pastor that I had a diagnosis of depression which started when my Mom died when I was young . A close friend of hers who was a member called me crazy during service as I gave free books to amazing kind children as they passed by. I was hurt because religious
institutions including seminaries should be a place of healing . Creative writing, music ,comedy are for me a powerful source of healing for such a time as this. Happy New Year !!!!
Oh, Rosemary! I so sorry you were treated that way. That is not how Jesus would treat you! So sad, they don’t know the real living Jesus!
I've been fighting OCD my whole life. Medication save me. I agree with you, you have no control over the condition. Sometimes meds are the only answer, brain chemistry is off and needs to be balanced. God bless you
I'm glad he talked about his battle with depression hopefully he has helped others Tony will be missed 🙏
Thankyou Tony Dow, a very accurate description of how depression can affect you. This disease runs in my family. And it hits me just as you mentioned, something triggers it, then it is a quick downward spiral.
R.I.P. Very sincere and compassionate human being.
Love this sweet guy.
Yes! Even If you speak up about about it. People either ignore what you are saying, "down play" it. I also have osteoarthritis in both legs. People either down play that or think you are in constant pain all of the time. Both depression & arthritis is debilitating. Thank you Tony for sharing with US what you are going through.
RIP Tony, it's all behind you now!
It's hard to be typecast as a fictional TV character. Wally was a happy kid who looked after his goofy little brother. Tony Dow is a non-fictional adult living real life.
For many child actors, and even adult actors, getting typecast after just one or two roles can be a career killer. Why can't directors/producers recognize that the person coming to them is an ACTOR...and NOT the part they played?
@@howardkerr8174 I’ve never understood that either. Actors can play many different types of parts. It’s very unfair to typecast.
People don't want to deal with it. They want you to get over it.
Proud that Tony spoke up about this,yes he was all us girls favorite aguy to look at growing up ,wished I had a brother like him,,now we might know what to say to a sad friend
We love you Tony! Thanks.
Identifying it is the starting point. Once identified it still is a life long battle off and on...but getting the type of help that works for you is key. I have uncovered the root causes of my life long depression and it has helped. It is important to have people in your life that understand. Nobody close to me ever know until I decided to talk about. I have a counselor and read specific books that help me. I never would’ve guessed Tony Dow suffered from this...thanks for sharing Tony and God Bless all who share in this.
All comments I've read are well put...And I truly believe many people confuse clinical depression with sadness. It is NOT sadness. Sadness is a mood. Depression is NOT. Depression is very complex...
you have always got recognition from me tony !!! I still watch your show ...
Thank you Tony Dow. I dont understand why theres such a stigma on any diseases to do with the mind including dementia and addiction. Lets celebrate and lift each other up. #maketheworldbetter #loverespectall
As I was saying about hypothyroidism. If you are suffering from severe depression, go the hospital and have the doctors give you a blood test to check your thyroid like I did. I became depressed in 1986 to 2012 and I never knew what it was until 2012. Now I feel so great that I feel like that I’ve never been hit or yelled at in my entire life.
Yeah anger breeds depression. My father passed it to me.
I get it. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Aww hope you’re ok Tony
He described it perfectly
R.I.P. Tony, you're right about clinical depression, it is a crippling disorder. I have nothing but compassion for all those whom have suffered with it.
Rest in Piece A Fantastic Actor and a Fantastic Person.
He looks marvelous!
God-bless you Tony Doug
RIP Tony..
Medication can help for many people but not everyone. What was left out in this discussion was therapeutic methods such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and EMDR that help greatly help dealing with depression. For many, meds and therapy work best. There is not a one size fits all when dealing with mental illness. The medical model is only one way. Also not addressed is how our modern isolationist culture can contribute to depression and anxiety; there is not enough discussion about this.
Rest in Eternal Peace, Tony Dow.
Never, ever tell a person with depression to "cheer up." It's ignorant, it's insensitive and it helps zero.
Wow, he sounds exactly like he did on the show.
Yes...I have soooo been there! I have depression and anxiety. I probably got it from my father..he had both..and as a child I constantly worried about getting a depression..and then I was diagnosed with both I think in my early 40's. I just felt like "Is that all there is to life?"
I also was highly stressed out and working a whole bunch of various jobs. so that sure didn't help! Back then, in my early 40's I had had an alcoholic boyfriend and a demanding close friend and I felt like my life was falling apart! I went thru bad former apartment mates and so on.. Those of us who suffer from depression all have different stories ....some are much harder to deal with...I have heard far worse than mine...or read some very very sad ones...!!
I knew that inner anger DOES turn into depression...been there as well....too many times to even count!
I hope our world stops ignoring and making fun of people with depression and helps out more instead. I don't want to lose anymore people who deserve love and help!! (I also say this meaning not just family and friends...but,also those who I don't even know...they DO need help).
BE THERE for those who need an ear or be a backboard to just listen on the side...Talking helps!
Rest In Peace, Tony Dow
RIP Mr. Dow. Yes, he did pass away today.
It is truly sad😥
🤔 Definitely need more training in this field for civil servants 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Rest in peace 🙏
I feel art would help some sorts of depression because of the way the brain works, left and right. You can’t create and obsess simultaneously.
Tony, if you read this. ..I admire you and wish you all the best.
❤🎉 Rest in Paradise.
Good to hear this. I wonder what med it was that worked for him? I'm willing to try it at this point.
I love you Tony, but I disagree with much of what you say. At least, I mean, your blanket version of depression is not what depression is for all of us. Please don't say "this is how depression works". No, it isn't for many of us.. I don't have a "trigger", most days.. My depression runs deep and entertwines through my life every day. I go to bed depressed, I wake up depressed, because of what my life was, how I see and experience the world, who I am, as well as what I am missing, what I need. I DO force myself to go into my studio and work on my art, or else I will sit, many days wasting the day away. I will battle my depression and draw, draw, draw, until I find myself creating things I like, feeling good about what I am doing, and feeling a little better, if for a few hours.. It is absolutely therapeutic - using your hands, your mind, being productive, creating, smiling at what you create.... I go out into nature to battle my depression, and it helps. I exercise, run, work-out even when I am so down I want to sleep all day.. And, it helps. Much can help depression. "Anger turned inward?" Maybe, somewhat. But I don't think so for everyone. So much deeper than anger...
Tony looks just like a biblical scholar James Tabor , he is the true 1 person that is truly the same character as he played as Wally n the show , And that show was ran with the upmost classy respectful , genuine ethically driven shows ever , and still extremely funny , whitty, & based off true life experiences of the directors children
R.i.P .
R.I.P. Tony Dow
Wow he is still gorgeous
anger turned inward is self-destructve behavior.. depression is totally different..
I suffered from depression for 26 years and found out that it was my thyroid. I had hypothyroidism that I inherited from my mother late Olivia. After going to the hospital that’s when I found out from a blood test. Then when my doctor gave me the medication Levothyroxine, my years of depression disappeared in 1 hour. I feel like a new man.
The dosage on the medication is called Levothyroxine and it’s called micrograms, not milligrams. The doctor started me with 25mcg and now I take Levothyroxine 100mcg in which the medicine is made from a pigs thyroid grands. About 35 million people around the world suffer from this thyroid disease.
R.I.P Tony Dow.
I know this all too well.
Most ppl can't conceive that sadness vs depression are opposite ends the spectrum.......for those that live on the east coast,......experience a mental change as summer turns to fall n typically more energy as winter turns to spring.....Depression falls outside of that.
HUMANS GIVE US DEPRESSION, PERIOD.
Depression is no stranger these 68 years of life. The first very bad bout was when I was 16. From then to age 38 there were small bouts and a few big ones. And suicide did come to mind a few times. It is indeed a horrible foe!
Then at age 38 I gave my heart to Jesus and all depression went away! Well, only the last half of that comment is incorrect. Because of being a Born Again Christian I truly have One to lean on. One to lift me up out of the shadows. One that has given me the compassion for, and honesty with, the broken and hurting. Hope that they will want the very same Jesus they see working in me to walk this road of life and to tell others. He is that still small voice saying, "I will never leave you or forsake you child, I love you."! And He does! He is never left out of the conversation.
He has sent people into my life and given many platforms where the suicide of my daddy can be used. Face to face, church Sunday School class talking to teens, people all sorts of places/ages, Facebook and so many places on YT like right now.
Depression is real, never "poo-poo" somebody that says they have it or thinks that they may be facing it. Know this one 100% true comment about depression too, suicide is *never* the answer! Never! Jesus is the answer but not everybody believes that or wants Him. So if that is you, keep knocking on doors seeking help. Don't be ashamed. Don't do drugs or drink, that will not help. Don't be ashamed to take medication for help. And for sure do NOT let anybody shame you out of taking medication whether you are a Christian or not!
Im sad to hear he suffers from depression. He seems like a really cool guy
Didn’t anyone notice that right before Tony Dow left this earth, there were similar announcements that he was still alive to the time we lost the singer Tom Petty?
Tony Dow still has a very handsome face. He's aging well 🙂
It really is THAT hard to control, and sometimes you get accustomed to the medications and they stop working.
R.I.P. Tony.