Matinee Classics - Jerry Mathers Biography & Filmography

Jerry Mathers ACTOR

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JERRY MATHERS BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Jerry Mathers was born no June 2nd, 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa with the birth name Gerald P. Mathers. Mathers was a child actor who first began working in the industry at the age of two appearing in commercials.

He later became most well known for his role on the television series, "Leave it to Beaver" (1957), playing Theodore 'Beaver' Cleaver. Prior to being cast on the series, Mathers appeared in a number of films such as, "This is My Love" (1954), "Men of the Fighting Lady" (1954), "The Seven Little Foys" (1955) and "The Trouble with Harry" (1955).

Along with working as an actor, Mathers had a brief recording career in 1962 releasing two songs, "Don't 'Cha Cry" and "Wind-Up Toy". He did later join a band during his teenage years called, "Beaver and the Trappers" for which they recorded as a group a number of songs for Atlantic Records.

After the series came to an end, he chose to retire from the industry and focus on earning a high school diploma from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, California. He then served in the Air Force National Guard during the Vietnam war and after completing his service, Mathers went on to graduate from the University of Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1973.

Mathers then found employment in banking as well as real estate during the 1970's. Then during the 90's he changed professions and owned a catering company in Santa Clarita, California called, "Cleaver's Catering".

Although he was involved in other professions, Mathers did return to acting and focused on stage performing in such productions as, "Boeing, Boeing" and "So Long Stanley". He also made his Broadway debut in 2007 in the musical, "Hairspray"

Along with stage work, Mathers has appeared on such television series as, "Flying High" (1978), "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1984), "The Love Boat" (1987), "The New Leave it to Beaver" (1983-1989), "Parker Lewis" (1991), "Diagnosis Murder" (1999), "The War at Home" (2006) and his latest role was in the television movie, "Mother Goose Parade" (2008).

Jerry has also appeared in a number of commercials for such products as, Chevrolet, Toyota, General Mills, Aol, Purina and Jim Beam amongst others.

Between 2009 and 2010, Jerry Mathers was also the national spokesperson for PhRMA which is an organization that helps uninsured or struggling patients receive prescription medication for free or a discounted rate. Also, due to being diagnosed with diabetes in 1996, he has partnered with a number of organizations to be a lecturer on the disease.

He is currently married to Teresa Modnick whom he wed in 2011. Prior to this marriage he married only once before to a lady by the name of Rhonda in 1977 and they had three children before the marriage came to an end in 1997.