Movies and TV RIP June

**TrebMaxx** · 10-16-2010, 04:40 PM

For all the older folks that grew up watching.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/cele...ex.html?hpt=T2

Barbara Billingsley of 'Leave it to Beaver' fame dies
By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* Actress Barbara Billingsley dies at home at age 94
* She is best known for her role as June Cleaver
* A private memorial is being planned

RELATED TOPICS

* Celebrity News

(CNN) -- Barbara Billingsley, who wore a classy pearl necklace and dispensed pearls of wisdom as America's quintessential mom on "Leave it to Beaver," has died at age 94, a family spokeswoman said Saturday.

The actress passed away at 2 a.m. (5 a.m. ET) Saturday at her home in Santa Monica, California, after a long illness, spokeswoman Judy Twersky said. A private memorial is being planned.

"She was as happy as a lark being recognized as America's mom," actor Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver, told CNN. "She had a terrific life and had a wonderful impact on everybody she knew, and even people she didn't know."

Actor Jerry Mathers, who played Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver, spoke of Billingsley's talent during a 2000 appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live."

"Barbara was always a true role model for me. She was a great actress," he said. "And in a lot of ways ... we kind of stifled her, because her true talent didn't really come out in 'Leave it Beaver.' She was like the straight man, but she has an awful lot of talent."

The actress won a new legion of fans in a brief, but memorable scene in the 1980 send-up movie "Airplane."

"Oh, stewardess. I speak jive," Billingsley said in her role as a passenger comforting an ill man on the flight.

From the moment its catchy theme song sounded in black-and-white TV sets of the 1950s, "Leave it to Beaver" enthralled Americans during a time of relative prosperity and world peace. Its characters represented middle-class white America.

June Cleaver dutifully pecked her husband, Ward (played by the late Hugh Beaumont), when he came home to learn about the latest foibles -- nothing serious -- committed by Beaver and Wally.

The parents would dispense moralistic advice to their sons. The boys' friends included Lumpy and the obsequious Eddie Haskell, who avoided trouble and often buttered up Ward and June.

"That's a lovely dress you're wearing, Mrs. Cleaver," Eddie would typically say to Billingsley's character.

Perhaps fittingly, "Leave it to Beaver" was canceled in 1963 on the eve of the JFK assassination, the Vietnam War and the tumult of the 1960s.

In the 1980s, Dow appeared with Billingsley in "The New Leave it to Beaver." She shifted from being a mom figure to a good friend who supported his directing and artistic endeavors, Dow said.

"She always had a positive thing to say," said Dow, 65.

Born December 22, 1915, in Los Angeles, Billingsley began her career as a model in New York City in 1936.

She was under contract to MGM in 1945 before becoming a household name with the launch of "Leave it to Beaver" in 1957.

Billingsley is related by marriage to actor/producer Peter Billingsley, known for his starring role as Ralphie in the seasonal TV-movie classic "A Christmas Story," according to the Internet Movie Database. Peter Billingsley's mother, Gail Billingsley, is the cousin of Barbara's first husband, Glenn.

Billingsley, whose second and third husbands predeceased her, is survived by her two sons, Drew Billingsley of Granada Hills, California, and Glenn Billingsley of Phillips Ranch, California.

Asked once to compare real-life families to TV families, Billingsley responded, "I just wish that we could have more families like those. Family is so important, and I just don't think we have enough people staying home with their babies and their children."

Braincase · 10-16-2010, 04:59 PM

The woman who inspired a generation of husbands to give their wives pearl necklaces.

FAX · 10-16-2010, 05:22 PM

Rest in peace, mama beaver.

You lived life your way and Ward was never the wiser.

FAX

Deberg_1990 · 10-16-2010, 05:23 PM

Ward, dont you think you were a little rough on the Beaver last night?

WilliamTheIrish · 10-16-2010, 05:24 PM

"Now Ward, be kind to the Beaver".

And my own mortality passes in front of me again.

FAX · 10-16-2010, 05:27 PM

"Ward, the Beaver's bleeding like a sumbitch."

???

I don't think that was one ...

FAX

Frankie · 10-16-2010, 05:28 PM

I like the reruns of LITB's first couple of years, corny as they may be. when Beaver started shaving the show jumped the shark. But through it all BB was a great mama. RIP Babs.

Sully · 10-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Sucka don't want no help, sucka don't get no help.

Frankie · 10-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

"Ward, the Beaver's bleeding like a sumbitch."

???

I don't think that was one ...

FAX

Should that be in the 'strange facts' thread?

FAX · 10-16-2010, 05:30 PM

Actually, do something with her hair and she would have been kinda hot. Ward was a lucky dude.

FAX

FAX · 10-16-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Should that be in the 'strange facts' thread?

I gave up on my "Strange Facts By FAX" thread, Mr. Frankie. Nobody liked my facts. Everybody was like, "I don't believe that fact." and like, "What kind of stupid fact is that?" and like, "What happens if you change that fact?".

Another failed thread idea by FAX.

FAX

**the Talking Can** · 10-16-2010, 05:33 PM

marking "bang June Cleaver' off my bucket list...

JD10367 · 10-16-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

marking "bang June Cleaver' off my bucket list...

Well, if you hurry, there's still time.

Zebedee DuBois · 10-16-2010, 05:46 PM

I wonder exactly when 'beaver' became a synonym for female genitalia.

**gblowfish** · 10-16-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

marking "bang June Cleaver' off my bucket list...

Well, I guess you still could, but that would be even sicker than banging an 90 year old woman.

10-16-2010, 04:40 PM
TrebMaxx Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo Casino cash: $-2172748	RIP June For all the older folks that grew up watching. http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/cele...ex.html?hpt=T2 Barbara Billingsley of 'Leave it to Beaver' fame dies By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTS * Actress Barbara Billingsley dies at home at age 94 * She is best known for her role as June Cleaver * A private memorial is being planned RELATED TOPICS * Celebrity News (CNN) -- Barbara Billingsley, who wore a classy pearl necklace and dispensed pearls of wisdom as America's quintessential mom on "Leave it to Beaver," has died at age 94, a family spokeswoman said Saturday. The actress passed away at 2 a.m. (5 a.m. ET) Saturday at her home in Santa Monica, California, after a long illness, spokeswoman Judy Twersky said. A private memorial is being planned. "She was as happy as a lark being recognized as America's mom," actor Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver, told CNN. "She had a terrific life and had a wonderful impact on everybody she knew, and even people she didn't know." Actor Jerry Mathers, who played Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver, spoke of Billingsley's talent during a 2000 appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live." "Barbara was always a true role model for me. She was a great actress," he said. "And in a lot of ways ... we kind of stifled her, because her true talent didn't really come out in 'Leave it Beaver.' She was like the straight man, but she has an awful lot of talent." The actress won a new legion of fans in a brief, but memorable scene in the 1980 send-up movie "Airplane." "Oh, stewardess. I speak jive," Billingsley said in her role as a passenger comforting an ill man on the flight. From the moment its catchy theme song sounded in black-and-white TV sets of the 1950s, "Leave it to Beaver" enthralled Americans during a time of relative prosperity and world peace. Its characters represented middle-class white America. June Cleaver dutifully pecked her husband, Ward (played by the late Hugh Beaumont), when he came home to learn about the latest foibles -- nothing serious -- committed by Beaver and Wally. The parents would dispense moralistic advice to their sons. The boys' friends included Lumpy and the obsequious Eddie Haskell, who avoided trouble and often buttered up Ward and June. "That's a lovely dress you're wearing, Mrs. Cleaver," Eddie would typically say to Billingsley's character. Perhaps fittingly, "Leave it to Beaver" was canceled in 1963 on the eve of the JFK assassination, the Vietnam War and the tumult of the 1960s. In the 1980s, Dow appeared with Billingsley in "The New Leave it to Beaver." She shifted from being a mom figure to a good friend who supported his directing and artistic endeavors, Dow said. "She always had a positive thing to say," said Dow, 65. Born December 22, 1915, in Los Angeles, Billingsley began her career as a model in New York City in 1936. She was under contract to MGM in 1945 before becoming a household name with the launch of "Leave it to Beaver" in 1957. Billingsley is related by marriage to actor/producer Peter Billingsley, known for his starring role as Ralphie in the seasonal TV-movie classic "A Christmas Story," according to the Internet Movie Database. Peter Billingsley's mother, Gail Billingsley, is the cousin of Barbara's first husband, Glenn. Billingsley, whose second and third husbands predeceased her, is survived by her two sons, Drew Billingsley of Granada Hills, California, and Glenn Billingsley of Phillips Ranch, California. Asked once to compare real-life families to TV families, Billingsley responded, "I just wish that we could have more families like those. Family is so important, and I just don't think we have enough people staying home with their babies and their children."
Posts: 4,450

10-16-2010, 04:59 PM	#2
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	The woman who inspired a generation of husbands to give their wives pearl necklaces. __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429

10-16-2010, 05:22 PM	#3
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Rest in peace, mama beaver. You lived life your way and Ward was never the wiser. FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-16-2010, 05:23 PM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $354454	Ward, dont you think you were a little rough on the Beaver last night?
Posts: 68,396

10-16-2010, 05:24 PM	#5
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $2650607	"Now Ward, be kind to the Beaver". And my own mortality passes in front of me again.
Posts: 35,754

10-16-2010, 05:27 PM	#6
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	"Ward, the Beaver's bleeding like a sumbitch." ??? I don't think that was one ... FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-16-2010, 05:28 PM	#7
Frankie Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	I like the reruns of LITB's first couple of years, corny as they may be. when Beaver started shaving the show jumped the shark. But through it all BB was a great mama. RIP Babs.
Posts: 26,959

10-16-2010, 05:29 PM	#8
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	Sucka don't want no help, sucka don't get no help. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

10-16-2010, 05:30 PM	#10
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Actually, do something with her hair and she would have been kinda hot. Ward was a lucky dude. FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-16-2010, 05:33 PM	#12
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9402208	marking "bang June Cleaver' off my bucket list... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

10-16-2010, 05:46 PM	#14
Zebedee DuBois Veteran Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: floating in a tin can Casino cash: $-1624801	I wonder exactly when 'beaver' became a synonym for female genitalia. __________________ What am I even doing here?
Posts: 3,930

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