Once a beloved child actor, this star stepped away from acting when he felt the time was right. But life outside the spotlight brought unexpected challenges, including being told he had three to five years to live and his wife leaving him for another man.
Despite these setbacks, the actor fought to regain control of his life. Take a look at his inspiring journey in overcoming these trials and finding happiness. See how he looks now at 76.
From Hollywood Stardom to a New Life Away from the Spotlight
This young boy gained national fame for his role in the iconic sitcom “Leave It to Beaver,” in which he portrayed the innocent and inquisitive Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver.
The show, which aired from 1957 to 1963, followed the lives of a wholesome suburban family, capturing the ups and downs of childhood and family life in America.
The child star with his “Leave It to Beaver” co-star, circa 1955. He gained national fame for his role in the iconic sitcom in which he portrayed the innocent and inquisitive Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver. | Source: Getty Images
The young actor, here on the set of “Leave It to Beaver” in 1957, won fans nationwide with his role as the sweet-natured boy whose curiosity and innocence drove the show’s timeless charm. | Source: Getty Images
The “Leave It to Beaver” star with his castmate, circa 1957. The show, which aired from 1957 to 1963, followed the lives of a wholesome suburban family, capturing the ups and downs of childhood and family life in America. | Source: Getty Images
With his bright-eyed charm, the young actor brought Beaver to life, becoming an endearing figure for millions of viewers who saw parts of their childhood reflected in the character’s innocent mischief and curiosity.
But as the series ended, the actor found himself ready to take on a different kind of life. Despite his fame, he was eager to leave the tight schedules and heavy demands of a Hollywood set behind.
“Not that we were tired of it, but it was a lot of work. We had to be at the studio every day at 8 o’clock, work till 5. And on the weekends, a lot of times, we had PR to do… I’m not saying I didn’t like it, but it was just time…I was getting ready to go to high school […]” the young star admitted.
Having spent much of his formative years with a private tutor on set, he wanted a typical school experience, where he could play sports, join teams, and simply be a regular teen.
The end of “Leave It to Beaver” provided just that opportunity, allowing him to step away from the spotlight and enjoy the simpler joys of high school life.
On the set, circa 1961. By this time, he had already become a symbol of childhood innocence, capturing the hearts of fans who saw a reflection of their own lives in his character’s adventures. | Source: Getty Images
On the cusp of his teenage years, circa 196. Having spent much of his formative years with a private tutor on set, he wanted a typical school experience, where he could play sports, join teams, and simply be a regular teen. | Source: Getty Images
On the set of “Leave It to Beaver” around 1961.Despite his fame, he was eager to leave the tight schedules and heavy demands of a Hollywood set behind. | Source: Getty Images
In the following years, the former child star made another surprising decision — enlisting in the National Guard. While he was never involved in active combat, his work with a transport unit was rigorous, involving repair work on aircraft returning from assignments.
“It was not a lot of fun because we were doing very, very hard work, but it was something that I [felt] I should do for my country… It was something I was proud to do,” he said.
Though the actor briefly explored a career in real estate, selling homes and guiding clients, he showed little urgency to return to acting. Instead, he found satisfaction in these new, less public roles, navigating a life quite unlike the one he’d known as a young star.
A Health Crisis and Heartbreak That Changed His Life Forever
Life after Hollywood initially seemed like a dream for the former “Leave It to Beaver” star. He enjoyed the freedom to explore new ventures, including a successful catering business that served television and film crews.
Surrounded by food daily, the actor’s passion for cooking led to indulgent habits. Often sharing meals with colleagues, he found himself eating multiple times a day, caught up in a lifestyle of fine dining and prosperity.
“I was living the good life. […] I was making a lot of money, everything was going great, and everyone around me was at least as fat as I was,” he revealed. However, his carefree approach to food and health eventually caught up with him.
January 8, 1987, in Beverly Hills, California. Life after Hollywood initially seemed like a dream for the former “Leave It to Beaver” star who explored new ventures, including a successful catering business that served television and film crews. | Source: Getty Images
March 17, 1987 with “Leave it to Beaver” co-star Tony Dow. Surrounded by food daily, the actor’s passion for cooking led to indulgent habits. | Source: Getty Images
On a public outing, circa 1994. Though the actor briefly explored a career in real estate, selling homes and guiding clients, he showed little urgency to return to acting. | Source: Getty Images
In 1997, during a routine checkup, the actor received a devastating diagnosis — he had Type 2 diabetes and would only have three to five years to live if he didn’t make drastic changes.
He also learned that his cholesterol and blood pressure were dangerously high. The news hit him hard, forcing him to confront the serious toll his lifestyle had taken on his health.
With urgency and determination, he committed to turning his life around, eventually losing 55 pounds to manage his condition and extend his life.
Yet, his health struggles were only part of the challenge. Around this time, his marriage to his second wife, Rhonda Gehring, also began to unravel. He had met her when she was a young, driven 26-year-old public relations worker.
In his book, the actor fondly recalled the undeniable attraction, writing, “This girl may have had a mind for business, but her body was designed for sin.” The couple went on to welcome three children: Noah, who later joined the Navy, and two daughters, Mercedes and Gretchen.
With then-wife Rhonda Gehring, 1986. He had met her when she was a young, driven 26-year-old public relations worker. | Source: Getty Images
November 21, 1990, Universal City, California. The couple went on to welcome three children: Noah, who later joined the Navy, and two daughters, Mercedes and Gretchen. | Source: Getty Images
Life was going swell, as the couple even renewed their vows. However, the former “Leave It to Beaver” star revealed, “My years in social and professional exile had already damaged our marriage beyond repair,” referring to the late 1980s and 1990s, when he took a break from acting.
He added, “Rhonda had married me at the start of ‘The New Leave It to Beaver.’ Living with a social and professional recluse was not in her original plan. Rhonda wanted out. People think that being married to a celebrity is fun, then they get fed up with the hassles of it. Rhonda had found someone else.'”
A New Beginning
This actor is none other than Jerry Mathers, who ultimately found strength in the face of hardship and transformed his life. Determined to regain his health, Mathers sold his catering business and committed himself to a disciplined lifestyle, combining a strict diet with daily exercise.
Walking six to eight miles each day, he managed to bring his condition under control, reaching a pre-diabetic status. Reflecting on his journey, Mathers described diabetes as a “terrible way to go,” adding, “It’s really a horrible death. It basically burns different parts of your body.”
Jerry Mathers on December 3, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Decades after his role as Beaver Cleaver, he remains a celebrated figure, honored for his contributions to television history. | Source: Getty Images
Embracing this new chapter, Mathers became an advocate for diabetes awareness, sharing his story and warning others about the risks of the disease. He traveled across the country, giving lectures and educating people about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
His speaking engagements marked a dramatic departure from his role as Theodore Beaver Cleaver, but they brought a fresh sense of purpose. Mathers took pride in educating audiences, viewing it as another way to positively impact lives — this time, beyond the screen.
