Jerry’s Memories
Tippi Hedren’s Shambala Preserve
The Roar Foundation, was founded by actress Tippi Hedren in 1983 to support the exotic felines at the Shambala Preserve in Acton, California. The mission is to educate the public about the dangers of private ownership of exotic animals. Shambala is home to over 50 rescued big cats: lions, tigers, cougars, black and spotted leopards, bobcats, and Asian leopard cats, who live out their lives at Shambala.
Large numbers of dangerous animals are bred and sold for illegal purposes in the United States. The foundation supports more stringent legislation to protect these animals from cruel and unfair treatment.
Tippi Hedren has done many legendary films and she is the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. She is the mother to actress Melanie Griffith and is the President of the Roar Foundation, the group that funds Shambala. She believes that she has found her calling by providing homes for all of these beautiful rescued animals.
Here are some additional beautiful photos on my website at Shambala shot by Bill Dow: http://www.jerrymathers.com/shambala-photos/
For more information please visit the Shambala website at: http://www.shambala.org/
Photo by Bill Dow
Happy 70th Birthday Ken Osmond, aka Eddie Haskell!
Here’s is my chance to wish my good friend former LAPD motorcycle officer Ken Osmond aka Edward Haskell, a happy 70th birthday. Ken, I know what a terrific actor you are. You brought to life a mischievous villain that is so much NOT like you that it’s hard for me to believe that you could play such a great character so different from the real you. Who would have thought that the name “Eddie Haskell” would become synonymous with all the things that Ken Osmond isn’t!
What many people don’t know is that Kenny also had other great acting roles including the film Pilgrim Adventure with Spencer Tracy and Gene Tierney, Lassie, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Fury, Petticoat Junction, and The Munsters to name just a few.
Kenny then changed professions and in 1970 he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He was an active member of the force until he was shot in the line of duty on September 20, 1980. His bulletproof vest and belt buckle saved his life. He eventually retired from the LAPD in 1988. Because of this he was able to join the cast of The New Leave it to Beaver and reprise his role as the two-faced protagonist to Beaver and the Cleaver clan.
To a great guy on his 70th birthday — it doesn’t sound so bad being that old because I just hit 65 on June 2nd and it didn’t hurt a bit. Happy birthday Ken!
Jerry
My best friend growing up, Richard Correll
I’m looking forward to a great time tonight at my long time friend Richard Correll’s 65th birthday celebration at an historic Hollywood hotel.
Richard played “Richard Rickover” in Leave it to Beaver. He was not only a character on the show, but my best friend growing up.
We spent many weekends at each other’s houses getting into mischief…typical adolescent pranks!
After Richard graduated from high school and while he was at USC’s film school, he worked extensively with the Harold Lloyd estate.
Richard has had an incredible career as a top Hollywood television director, producer and writer. Some of his credits include Family Matters, Full House, Hannah Montana, That’s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Perfect Strangers to name only a few. He wrote episodes for Happy Days early in his career.
Richard has always been a very good friend and I look forward to sharing many more birthdays with him!
Mother’s Day 2013 with my dear mom Marilyn
I attended the 2013 MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION TALENT GIFTING SUITE with my mom Marilyn, and we had a great time!
Salute to Seniors
I’m looking forward to the “Salute to Seniors” event on May 15, 2013 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. I will be speaking about the Golden Age of Television and my experiences as a child actor when I worked with Alfred Hitchcock, Bob Hope and many others.
I will share some of my memories and anecdotes about my years on Leave it to Beaver, and there will be an opportunity for personalized autographs and photos for the convention guests in the Cleaver living room setting sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.
Here is the link where you can learn more about the convention activities and ticket prices.
http://www.senioranswers.org/
Hope to see you there!!!
Leave it to Beaver marathon on Antenna TV!
Here is the line-up for the Leave it to Beaver marathon on Antenna TV!
These are east coast times.
Sunday, April 28
9:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver’s Hero”
9:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “The Boat Builders”
10:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver Becomes a Hero”
10:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver’s Freckles”
11:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver Plays Hookey”
11:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “The Garage Painters”
12:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver’s Pigeons”
12:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “The Haunted House”
1:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver and Gilbert”
1:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “The Bus Ride”
2:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “A Horse Named Nick”
2:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver Says Good-Bye”
3:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver’s Newspapers”
3:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Friendship”
4:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Dance Contest”
4:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “The Cookie Fund”
5:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Forgotten Party”
5:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver the Athlete”
6:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Found Money”
6:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Most Interesting Character”
7:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Wally’s Play”
7:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver Finds a Wallet”
8:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Baby Picture”
8:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Pet Fair”
9:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Wally’s Election”
9:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “School Sweater”
10:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver Makes a Loan”
10:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Larry’s Club”
11:00 PM Leave It to Beaver “Wally and Alma”
11:30 PM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver’s Big Contest”
Monday, April 29
12:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver Won’t Eat”
12:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “Wally’s Glamour Girl”
1:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Wally the Lifeguard”
1:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver’s IQ”
2:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Eddie’s Double-Cross”
2:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “Miss Landers’ Fiance”
3:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Chuckie’s New Shoes”
3:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “Ward’s Millions”
4:00 AM Leave It to Beaver “Teacher’s Daughter”
4:30 AM Leave It to Beaver “Beaver and Kenneth”
My good friend, Frank Bank
Here is my good friend Frank Bank in a clip from Leave it to Beaver. Even though he played a lovable oaf on the show, in real life he was a very bright and terrific actor. He was also a successful licensed financial adviser. He will be missed…
LA Talk Radio show with Frank Sheftel
A description about my interview with Frank Sheftel on LA Talk Radio — March 24, 2013
FRANK TALK is thrilled to welcome on the show Jerry “The Beaver” Mathers. Frank & Jerry talk about the history of Leave it To Beaver and how Jerry landed the iconic role of Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver. Jerry talks about working on Broadway, his friendship with Alfred Hitchcock and his battle with Diabetes. Frank also talks about attending Chaka Khan’s 60th birthday party.
Here is a link to the interview —
http://www.latalkradio.com/Players/Sheftel.shtml?date=March+24,+2013&file=032413
This is a photo of Frank and I when we did a play together in 2010. It was the theatrical debut of Cinderella, the first British Panto performed in the United States (an 800 year old English tradition). I played Baron Hardup and it was produced by the Lythgoe family.
Beverly Hills Easter Parade in 1959!
So sorry — The video has some technical difficulties. Not available anymore for screening.
Here is footage of me riding in a car with Barbara Billingsley for an Easter Parade in Beverly Hills in 1959. You can see me at :47 in to the clip. Unfortunately, there is no sound. Tony Dow and Rusty Stevens (Larry) are riding in the car after us.
This parade left from the Beverly Hilton hotel and went down Rodeo Drive. After the parade we would go back to the Hilton ballroom and I remember sitting at the table with the Hilton family. We had to get up really early and we went for several years. Do any of you remember being there???
My film with James Mason when I was 5 year’s old!
In 1954 I was an actor in the movie “Star of Bethlehem” which was produced by James Mason. I played Joseph and his daughter Portland played Mary. I was 5 years old! James was also in the film and he read narration from the Scripture with his elegant, distinct accent. Although I was very young, I remember James Mason as being a very kind man.
