Tony Dow deserves recognition for talking about this and giving others hope. Thank you, Tony! : )

Rest in peace Wally Cleaver. You brought immense joy into my childhood

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.

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.

Nobody could have played the role of Wally Cleaver better than Tony Dow, he is one of my favourite actors.

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.

I've loved Tony Dow my entire life. Wish I could hug him.

RIP Tony! God bless you and thank you for all you have done, especially sharing your journey and hope with depression.

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!

Rest in eternal peace Tony. You left behind an amazing legacy. Heart goes out to all his family & friends left behind

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. ❤🙏🏽

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.

I grew up with Wally and the Beav. Tony was a great man.

" ...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.

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

What a lovely and sweet gentleman he was ,may he rest in peace 🙏

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.

"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.

RIP Tony. You will be missed

R.I.P. 🪦Tony …You were one of my favorite old school tv 📺 actors. GOD bless you. ✌🏻

I was told "grow up" with my depression as a kid. medicine does help.

Tony Dow is a very kind and talented man, a true class act.

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 .

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!

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 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 🇨🇦❤🙏🕊🌹

RIP Tony You seem to be a good person 😇 But with a troubled soul… God Bless you and your family 🙏

RIP Tony..

You can't help but like Tony Dow. Prayers to him and his family as he battles his most recent diagnosis of cancer.

Thank you. Deflate is the perfect word to describe depression onset.

Thank you, Mr. Dow!

It's so sad. I can't help but feel sorry for him

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.

Sending love Tony ❤❤❤

Anger turned inward causes depression.

RIP Tony, it's all behind you now!

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.

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.

Depression is a struggle and I’m glad he got through it like I did.

This was a good piece. Blessings to Mr & Mrs Dow.

Love this sweet guy.

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.

So brave of Tony to share this aspect of his life! It will definitely be part of his legacy, too. Rest in peace +

Wonderful interview. Huge fan!

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

Timothy Fitz comment (below) hits it right on the head. Thanks also to you Tony, for sharing how it can happen to anyone.

God-bless you Tony Doug

Rest in Piece A Fantastic Actor and a Fantastic Person.

R.I.P. Very sincere and compassionate human being.

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.

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.

Rest In Peace, Tony Dow

❤🎉 Rest in Paradise.

Rest in peace 🙏

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.

Rest in Eternal Peace, Tony Dow.

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.

I'm glad he talked about his battle with depression hopefully he has helped others Tony will be missed 🙏

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.

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.

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 get it. I’ll keep you in my prayers.

He described it perfectly

you have always got recognition from me tony !!! I still watch your show ...

Aww hope you’re ok Tony

R.i.P .

We love you Tony! Thanks.

He looks marvelous!

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.

People don't want to deal with it. They want you to get over it.

Wow, he sounds exactly like he did on the show.

R.I.P. Tony Dow

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.

RIP Mr. Dow. Yes, he did pass away today.

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...

Never, ever tell a person with depression to "cheer up." It's ignorant, it's insensitive and it helps zero.

Yeah anger breeds depression. My father passed it to me.

R.I.P Tony Dow.

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!

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

Good to hear this. I wonder what med it was that worked for him? I'm willing to try it at this point.

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 !!!!

Wow he is still gorgeous

R.I.P. Tony.

HUMANS GIVE US DEPRESSION, PERIOD.

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.

Rest in Peace Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver)

RIP Tony Dow.

Godlove you ❤❤❤🎉😊🐻🧁🆒️👋🏻

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.

RIP

anger turned inward is self-destructve behavior.. depression is totally different..

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.

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

It is truly sad😥 🤔 Definitely need more training in this field for civil servants 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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?

I know this all too well.

Im sad to hear he suffers from depression. He seems like a really cool guy

Tony Dow still has a very handsome face. He's aging 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.