'Leave It to Beaver' star Tony Dow still alive despite statement about his death, wife confirms

The wife of Tony Dow, the actor and director best known for his role as older brother Wally Cleaver on "Leave It to Beaver" who was reported dead on Tuesday, said her husband is still alive.

Earlier, Dow's representatives issued a statement announcing the passing of the beloved actor.

Lauren Dow confirmed to Eyewitness News that her husband is still alive and breathing, but is in hospice care in their home.

She said based on some health issues that occurred overnight, Lauren inferred that her husband had passed away, and she alerted people close to her.

Lauren said she's been distraught and grief-stricken about her husband's health battle the past couple of months.

While she may have said her husband died, she confirms it was a miscommunication and regrets causing a commotion during a challenging time. She said she "loves and adores" her husband of 42 years with all of her heart.

A Facebook post that reported his death has since been removed.

The actor - who was thrust into stardom at age 12 when he was cast on the soon-to-be-smash sitcom "Leave It to Beaver" - revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Dow, who said he experienced undiagnosed depression from age 20 to age 40, spoke out for decades about his mental health challenges, long before it was common for celebrities to disclose that information publicly.

In 1993, he was an honorary speaker at a convention for the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association.

"I realize there's a perceived irony about this," he told the Baltimore Sun of his depression in 1993. "You know, the fact that I was in a TV program that epitomized the supposed ideal world of the '50s, and here I'm suffering from depression. But I'm just one of millions."

Dow told CBS that once he accepted his diagnosis and began treatment, he found hope. He channeled that hope into art, too, sculpting ornate pieces at his home studio.

"I think people should take the leap of faith that they can feel better," he said.

Dow continued to work in Hollywood, taking parts in TV series and even reprising his role in "The New Leave It to Beaver" in the 1980s. He also directed episodes of series like "Harry and the Hendersons," "Coach" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

Jerry Mathers, who starred opposite Dow as Beaver on their hit sitcom, told fans earlier this month that he'd been in contact with Dow, whose managers said had been "in and out of the hospital with various complications and treatments."

CNN contributed to this report.