You need to know
Tony Dow left for Beaver playing Wally Cleaver in the 1950s, but his only child, Christopher Dow, knew him as “dad.”
Tony and his then-wife Carol Marlow welcomed Christopher in 1973. Tony and Carol divorced in 1980.
Christopher spent his life mainly outside the spotlight, spending time with his wife Melissa and daughter Tyra. The family was on Tony’s side when he passed away on July 27, 2022.
“He was the best dad anyone could ask for,” Christopher shared on Facebook after his father’s death. “He was my coach, my mentor, my voice of reason, my best friend, my best friend at my wedding, and my hero.”
Here’s what you need to know about Tony Dow’s only child, his son Christopher Dow.
Christopher comes from a long actor
Hulton Archive/Getty
Christopher’s father famously starred in projects like Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mystery, Lassie and Novak, whoever was too young. But Tony wasn’t the only family in the entertainment industry.
Christopher’s grandmother, Muriel Montrose, was a stunt woman. She was even a stunt double for silent film star Clara Bow, according to Tony’s Facebook post.
Tony shared more insights about his mother’s career when she shared her photos on Facebook in December 2020.
“At the time, they just gave the stars a unit,” he said. “It’s hard to know which Clarabow movie she was making as a stunt double.”
He lives his personal life
Tony Dow/Facebook
Christopher made a brief appearance in the 1988 episode of Newleph’s It It the Beaver. There he plays 16-year-old Wally in a flashback. But ever since, he has mostly kept his life a secret.
In June 2016, Tony shared a photo on Facebook with his “handsome” son. In the comments, fans asked if they work in the entertainment industry. Tony replied, “No at all.”
Christopher is her husband and father
Tony Dow/Facebook
Christopher is married to his wife Melissa. In his tribute to his father in July 2022, Christopher revealed that Tony is the best man at his wedding.
Melissa and Tony also seem to share a great relationship, with Christopher saying, “I loved her like my father (Tony).”
“Tony was a very kind man,” she said in her July 2022 death announcement. “He had a huge heart. I’ve never heard Tony say anything bad or negative about anyone.”
Couple share one child together. She is a daughter named Tyra.
On his Facebook, Tony shares photos of his adventure together. Includes photos of a family playing with a toy dinosaur on his property, a boat together, and images of him supporting her in a volleyball tournament.
In November 2020, Tony proudly shared a photo of himself with Chris and Tyra in the caption, captioning “Three Generation Dows: Tyra, Christopher, and Dad: Third Generation Dows, taken about seven years ago.”
Christopher was with Tony on his last day
Tony Dow/Facebook
On July 26, 2022, Beaverstar’s vacation to the management team mistakenly reported that he had died in subsequent Facebook posts. However, later that day, Christopher confirmed with the people that his father was still alive, and he and his wife were by his side.
“This is a difficult time,” Christopher said. “Yes, he’s still alive, but in his last time. Under hospice care.”
A day later, on July 27th, Tony passed away at the age of 77. He had previously been diagnosed with cancer.
“Our heart goes… to Christopher, (Tony’s) son. He is also his best friend and father… stepdaughter, Melissa… will definitely take over the kind soul of his grandfather to his granddaughter, Tyra,” his management said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Words cannot express how much we all feel about his absence, but we will cherish the memories he left behind for each of us,” the statement continued.
Chris added her feelings to the post, writing that despite being a “very sad day,” he felt “(Tony) was in a better place.”
