Actor Ken Osmond, known to millions of viewers for his portrayal of Eddie Haskell on Leave it to Beaver, has died at the age of 76.
Ken Osmond Passes Away
According to TMZ, Osmond died at his home in Los Angeles today, Monday, May 18. “He was an incredibly kind and wonderful father,” Osmond’s son Eric told the news/gossip website. “He had his family gathered around him when he passed. He was loved and will be very missed.”
Osmond was 14 years old when he was cast as Eddie, the on-screen friend of Tony Dow (Wally) on the black and white sitcom. Originally intended for a guest appearance, Osmond’s portrayal of Eddie, who oozed fake sincerity so well he not only became a series regular but the name ‘Eddie Haskell’ has been a culture reference to identify insincere suck-ups. Eddie’s most familiar line was “You look lovely today, Mrs. Cleaver (Barbara Billingsly)!”
Along with acting, Osmond worked as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. Once, he was shot at five times — four of the bullets hit his bulletproof vest and one bounced off his belt buckle. He retired from the force in 1988.
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Osmond reprised Eddie Haskell first for the 1983 TV movie, Still the Beaver, and then again, for the syndicated series The New Leave It To Beaver, which ran from 1983 to 1989. In that series, Osmond’s real-life sons Eric and Christian played his TV offspring. In 1997, he played the role of Eddie Sr. in the feature film Leave It To Beaver. He also played him on other shows like Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.
Osmond wed his wife Sandy in 1970. He continued to make occasional appearances at conventions and autograph signings. The actor’s other credits include The Munsters, Petticoat Junction, and the feature film With Six You Get Eggroll.
Entertainment Hub sends sincere condolences to Osmond’s family, friends, and fans at this difficult time. Reruns of Leave It To Beaver air weekdays at 8 and 8:30 am PT on MeTV.
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