‘Leave it to Beaver’ actor John Amen dies
In memory of beloved “Leave It to Beaver” actor John Amen, who passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Former child actor John Amen, known for his guest appearance on “Leave It to Beaver,” passed away on Friday, November 21, his representative confirmed. He was 76 years old.
Eymen died of prostate cancer at his home in Mukilteo, Washington, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to USA TODAY. Aymen learned of her cancer diagnosis in September.
In the late ’50s and ’60s, Amen developed his work by co-starring as cadet Monk Roberts in the children’s comedy “McKeever and the Colonel.” He also made guest appearances on shows such as “The Twilight Zone.” “Have a Gun—Will Travel,” “The Untouchables,” “Wagon Train,” “Petticoat Junction,” “The Bachelor Father,” “The Rebel,” “The Lloyd Bridges Show,” “Wendy and Me.”
Aymen was discovered by agents in a classroom in the Los Angeles area before he was 10 years old. He started working at the age of six and made his television debut as Theodore Cleaver’s classmate in the premiere episode of Leave It to Beaver. He continued to make guest appearances intermittently throughout the show’s run.
In addition to being an actor, Amen also worked as a model. His young, red-haired, freckled face became nationally famous when he appeared with a white milky mustache in a national print ad for Carnation, a manufacturer of dairy products.
Aymen transitioned into a musical career as an adult, working as a guitarist and songwriter. He then moved to Japan, where he met his wife Midori. He has been teaching English and performing music in clubs and on Japanese television for over 10 years.
Aymen returned to the United States with his family in the mid-’90s, first settling in West Seattle and then moving to Mukiltio, about 20 miles north of Seattle. Bol said he then began the final chapter of his career, spending 25 years as a flight attendant on international flights for a major U.S. airline, with the help of his fluency in Japanese. He retired from the airline company in 2020 at the age of 71.
Eymen is survived by his wife of 51 years and two adult sons, Daniel Amen and Chris Amen.
