John Eimen, child actor from 'Leave it to Beaver,' dies at 76

[Omaha Steve]

Source: USA Today

Anna Kaufman

John Eimen, a former child star known for his guest spot in "Leave it to Beaver," died Friday, Nov. 21, a representative confirmed. He was 76.

Eimen died at his home in Mukilteo, Washington, from prostate cancer, publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to USA TODAY. Eimen learned of his cancer diagnosis in September.

Between the late '50s and throughout the '60s, Eimen grew his portfolio, costarring in the children's sitcom "McKeever and the Colonel" as Cadet Monk Roberts. He also racked up guest appearances in shows like "The Twilight Zone." "Have Gun—Will Travel," "The Untouchables," "Wagon Train," "Petticoat Junction," "Bachelor Father," "The Rebel," "The Lloyd Bridges Show" and "Wendy and Me."

Eimen was discovered by an agent in his Los Angeles-area classroom before he was 10 years old. He began working at 6, marking his television debut as a classmate of Theodore Cleaver in the premiere episode of "Leave It to Beaver." He went on to guest star on the show intermittently throughout its run.


John Eimen

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/11/25/john-eimen-dead-leave-it-to-beaver-actor/87461894007/

[turbinetree]

1. My generation............is leaving.............and I liked the show a lot ...........to his family and friends.........

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. That's quite a lengthy obituary for someone who had a steady, but overall unremarkable career as a child actor

Does anybody remember this guy for his acting? I am a big Leave It To Beaver fan, as well as Twlight Zone and other classic 60’s shows, and I don’t remember him.

I’m sure his friends and family in his community remember him fondly, but what motivated the USA today editor to devote so much space to this obit? Was it in the print edition? And if so, what stories did it displace that deserved to be covered?

(That last question is the key one- this post isn’t really about whether Eimen deserved a lengthy obituary in a national paper, but what the national media directs its, and our, attention towards, and more importantly, away from)

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Who was he? Larry?

[OnlinePoker]

4. IMDB has him in one episode as "2nd boy". n/t

[Wiz Imp]

5. He apparently was effectively an "extra" on Leave It To Beaver

His only Leave It To Beaver credit on IMDB is as "2nd Boy".

His role on Twilight Zone was a slightly more prominent supporting role. The episode was called "The Fugitive" about an alien fugitive who is helping a lame little girl. Great performances by character actor J Pat O'Malley as the fugitive and child actress Susan Gordon as the little Girl. Nancy Kulp also had a supporting role. Eimen played the pitcher on the neighborhood kids baseball team.

&t=141s
https://parade.com/news/john-eimen-child-actor-obituary-leave-it-to-beaver
He apparently went to junior college with Ed Begley Jr. and Michael Richards!

[usonian]

6. Everyone who makes it to 76 deserves an award and national press, as I approach 77.

(well, less some assholes who make life miserable for everyone else)

who get round the clock publicity.

[twodogsbarking]

7. Saw a bumper sticker today that said "don't be an asshole'. They are out there,, be careful.