The SURPRISING Reason Why LARRY MONDELLO Disappeared from Leave It To Beaver

[@alisondblake]

I miss MADGE BLAKE... Not only did she play Larry Mondello's mother, but she was my wonderful GRANDMOTHER in REAL LIFE...🙏🙏

[@jdsundstrom]

How cool is that?!!? Your grandmother's work in classic TV has provided me (and many many others) with countless hours of entertainment. And...on top of that, I hear she was a heck of a sweet lady. Thanks for posting!

[@alisondblake]

@@jdsundstrom Ohhh, yes! She was "a heck of a sweet lady" just as you saw her on the screen. Thank you for remembering her with your kind thoughts... xo

[@eloiseockert9233]

She performed on Batman

[@robettgriffin1904]

​@@jdsundstrom do you want a boyfriend

[@markcornish2519]

She seemed like such a kind lady! Also Aunt Harriet on batman

[@dskippy3789]

The interactions between Larry and Beaver were priceless. Funny as hell.

[@chrisnizer5702]

Any episode with Larry Mondello is a classic. Nobody got into trouble with the regularity and hilarity that Larry Mondello did.

[@been2all505]

I’m 71 and I still love Leave it to Beaver.

[@lorrainebendjy9935]

Larry and Beaver got into trouble on every episode. They really complemented each other. Great show!

[@ErleneSpillane]

Me too

[@m.m.583]

Larry’s TV 📺 mom was so on top of Larry and Beaver mischief She also played character rolls in other sitcoms such as bewitched, Andy of Mayberry

[@sambaritone]

I loved the show. It was so natural and true to things kids would say and do. Some people say these old shows weren’t realistic, but I think they were very accurate in many ways.

[@lo.sweets]

Amen to that honey

[@driver3605]

They were accurate in respect to how the kids lived, but way off base in depicting the parents. Yeah, the wives were home, in general and wearing those house dresses, but I NEVER saw a man come home from work and eat supper while wearing a suit. Or, sit around, relaxing while wearing shirt and tie, after removing the suit coat and putting on a sweater.😮

[@steveswangler6373]

sure, tons of 13 year old boys think girls are icky lol the first couple years may have had a touch of realism, but after Beaver reached a certain age it was not realistic at all

[@pgroove163]

completely agree...

[@raywilliams4507]

@@driver3605 From what I remember, he rarely removed his suit jacket. He would even sit around reading the paper while in his suit.

[@bobbieking5473]

I still watch “ Leave it to Beaver” in the mornings on “METV”… Larry is so funny. I love the show.

[@patpatterson7555]

I liked Larry a lot. He was quite the character and I am pleased to hear he's happy today with his family.

[@sarahshouse1890]

Still really enjoy watching reruns of this show on MeTV. Larry Mondello was a hoot! 😀😀😀 I loved the quirky humor he brought to the show!!😀👍👍

[@gregbowden5876]

Thank you for you service Rusty.

[@ibrake4butterflies]

When Larry invited Beaver to the carnival but he didn’t have any money because he already used up his allowance so he stole money from his mother’s sewing box and tossed it out the window and then convinced Beaver upon finding the money that it fell out of a pilot’s pocket while flying upside down over the area. 😂😂😂

[@jdsundstrom]

Classic Larry!

[@ibrake4butterflies]

You have a great voice and produce fun and interesting videos. 👍 Well done top shelf. 🏆

[@isabellamorgan7026]

🤗🤣😂🤭

[@tobeyclark7947]

This was a great episode and I remember it well.

[@joefaller4525]

Most of my favorites were episodes when Wally was older but the carnival one was awesome too. I have watched the entire series 3 times and I feel the best line of the series was from the carnival episode. At the end when Ward was speaking to Larry and he said he and JUne were upset that Beaver fell for the stupid airplane pilot money line Larry said "Don't be too hard on him Mrt Cleaver. When I was telling Beaver about the pilot I almost believed it myself.".

[@stephenmitchell6554]

Thank you for telling the real story. As one who grew up with "Leave It To Beaver" from its start (and who still enjoys an occasional episode), I'm glad Rusty/"Larry" lived a relatively normal life and apparently has found a measure of happiness. Great memories! Thanks again

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ethanshelbyskateboarding9980]

I enjoyed it as well

[@bobturnley2787]

Such a natural child actor. Looking back at his work on the show now must seem almost like watching home movies for Rusty these days. It must make him feel really good to know how much the fans love Larry Mondello.

[@soarornor]

The show was never the same after Larry left as a character. None of his replacements came close. He truly was one of a kind.

[@patrickryan1515]

Yep, and no one could take a chunk out of an apple like Larry. Gee, Beave; I think I hear my mother calling me. And Beaver's left holding the proverbial bag. Larry may have been the reincarnation of Houdini -- both great escape artists.

[@bigvalley4987]

Patrick I used to eat and enjoy more apples after watching Larry Mondello chump on that 🍎

[@chadcollins6068]

So true. Every cast member was amazing but Larry was so obviously missing after his departure. I've never seen a child actor come across so naturally. He seemed so much like my friends of that age, I felt like I actually knew this guy. That's a credit to the writers but Rusty himself was one of the greatest personalities put on television.

[@danielhoward4566]

I think they were all good in their own way.

[@PeaceCommando]

Larry was the devil that appeared on The Beaver's shoulder. Memorable writing made Larry's character delightful. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into the actor that made this character believable.

[@usmale49]

I loved little Larry Mondelo...to me, he kind of made the show! Always wondered what happened to him, now I know. Great video, thank you for sharing!!

[@Riogi]

When Larry left, something about the show changed and it was never the same without him.

[@gutenbird]

Larry was certainly one of the best characters on the show.

[@jimibarrett8362]

My favorite was Eddie haskel

[@justsayin2049]

Larry was the best friend of Beaver, and Eddie was the best friend of Wally! Those 2 characters helped make the show a success!

[@gutenbird]

@@justsayin2049 only, Larry kind of disappeared. I think he got tired of acting. Supposedly Larry was the only one of the kids under contract full time besides the main 4, Jerry, Tony, Barbara and Hugh. That’s how important his role was. I think he got worn out and wanted a normal life.

[@chuckwadnofski7147]

@@gutenbird So you didn't watch the video eh

[@gutenbird]

@@chuckwadnofski7147 eh, yeah.

[@poohbearsauntie]

For Fans Of Entertainment Trivia ~ This Channel IS Right On!!

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks poohbearsauntie!

[@kpd3308]

Good job, Rusty, and thank you for your contribution to making LITB so great.

[@dorotheawalker7985]

I totally believe him and his parents did the right thing look how great his life turned out and he is happy unlike most child stars.

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm sure there are ups and downs...but he is still around and smiling!

[@newlycreated1864]

Children shouldn't be bound to contracts. That's like child slavery.

[@markwatters6875]

Thank you for your service “Rusty”

[@TheGuyMullins]

I am glad you bring this topic back for us...

[@jdsundstrom]

It's an absolute pleasure, Guy!

[@jamesscarselletta3446]

Sometimes we all need a break from things. Glad to hear he is doing well. I wish him all the best.

[@patrickryan1515]

Me, too; I was very fond of Larry. Eddie Haskell could have taken lessons from him.

[@bobbirge2732]

Loved that show.Miss the old shows so bad They were so much better than what is out there now.😞

[@jaimealarcon9644]

Thanks for getting right to the topic posted! So many you-tubers feel the need to chat endlessly about themselves and their channel b4 getting to the point.

[@jdsundstrom]

You are so welcome! It's funny you mention that because I am definitely guilty of that. In fact, this video is a slimmed down version of another one where I do exactly that! I appreciate your feedback, Jaime. :)

[@williamwelch7]

Leave it to Larry....to be the smart one and escape the evils of Hollywood

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep. Rusty not only survived...he thrived!

[@loucosta8258]

I. Love. The. Show. Leave. It. To. Beaver. O. Yes. I. Love. That. Show. From. D. J. Lou.

[@diacunningham6180]

There isn't a day goes by my hubby & I don't watch at least 3 or 4 episodes. I'll never stop watching. Love all the characters.😁❤️

[@Mv4yi]

Me, as well. It never matters to me that I've become so familiar with the dialogues...it's the characters that I love!

[@p52893]

When you have a friend like Larry life is good.

[@victorvarela1480]

As a 70's kid growing up, I watched reruns and loved the show! I think of you as an American legend! And Thank You for your service!

[@macsloan58]

He was a hell of an actor. Watch his acting critically and his skills show through. He was outstanding.

[@jaysantos536]

WORST character on the show ever....

[@macsloan58]

@@jaysantos536 So you say. Thanks.

[@jaysantos536]

@@macsloan58 Best character by far was Eddie followed by Lumpy and his old man. Worst by far was Old Lady Mondello. I was hoping she would DIE.

[@ellentuton7642]

He was great on The Rifle man.

[@jaysantos536]

@@ellentuton7642 Didnt MArk kick his ass one day?

[@Eighties_Child]

The first three seasons of Leave It to Beaver are by far the best episodes, in large part because of Larry Mondello (Rusty Stevens). He was the perfect child actor to cast as Beaver's best friend. What great chemistry they had-always getting into mischief together! And Rusty was so natural and credible/believable in that role, which is very surprising when you consider that he had zero acting experience before he was "discovered" by the show's casting director! The Larry Mondello character reminds me of several kids I was friends with, especially during my elementary-school years. As others have said, Leave It to Beaver was never the same after he just up and vanished after the early episodes of season 4 (a.k.a. "the season when everything changed," from Larry's departure to Beaver's voice to mean old Judy Hensler being replaced by Penny Woods). While I'm certainly happy for Rusty that God spared him from the devastating effects that show business has on most child actors, I only wish he had completed all six seasons of Leave It to Beaver, which he could have done, seeing as how his family didn't leave California/Hollywood until after the series ended in 1963.

[@GeraBrown]

This is a great video because I didn't know any of these insider details. I was only 8-9 when I watched the Beaver afternoon reruns from '65-'66. So I love knowing all these things now, but was happy being blissfully ignorant as a child. Thanks Dave.

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it, Gera!

[@amyfromflorida4518]

He was such a great character. I love watching LITB, and especially the episodes with Larry. He was always talking Beaver into stupid stuff ! So funny.

[@csnide6702]

The bowl of soup billboard and the finding money that "fell out of an airplane" come to mind...... 😂

[@terrihilder8217]

@@csnide6702 I loved that one where Larry got in his mom's purse and threw it out the window in the front yard so he and beav could go to the fair. He got caught but that was hilarious.

[@ibrake4butterflies]

@@csnide6702 That was Whitey Whitney at the soup bowl billboard who talked Beaver into climbing it. 😁

[@ibrake4butterflies]

@@terrihilder8217 My favorite

[@danconroy8293]

My younger brother Tim looked just like the Beaver. He was the Beav the rest of hid childhood.

[@alanboas810]

Being a kid in the 60's and watching Larry Mondello interacting with Theodore Cleaver was a good day.

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

Thanks, Dave. I posted to the LTB Facebook group.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks Stephen!

[@kimwiater3157]

Still watch reruns everyday

[@rodcoulter997]

Just loved the show….born in 1954, it was a part of my “childhood TV friends.”…Wally, The Beaver, Eddie Haskell, Lumpy, Larry, Gilbert….Barbara Billingsley was everybody’s favorite mom……I still watch it today….”Best Era in America.”….. Ken Ormond playing “Eddie Haskell” was probably the greatest character actor in TV history…he never received the recognition he truly deserved…..

[@dennishadley9151]

Rusty Stevens was well paired with Madge Blake who played the part of his mother.The two brought the LITB fans great entertainment with their awesome chemistry . Thanks for sharing the Rusty story.

[@ROHM53]

Larry was quite a pal to the Beav. A true and genuine friend. Out of all of Beavers other chums good ol, Larry Mondello, played by Rusty Stevens, will always be number 1 with me. Great to hang out with and goof around with.

[@markb4185]

I loved the comedy between Rusty and Madge Blake. They were both hilarious. I wanted more episodes with those two in them.

[@patricktribett8208]

larry had perfect comedic timing he was a natural.

[@francellaporter4619]

I am 69 y.o. and I watched the original Leave it to Beaver and religiously watch the reruns every morning 8:00 a.m. EST, as if it were my second job! I often get real LOL moments. I love it more now than I did then. Larry Mondello was one of my favorites. He was a real hoot!

[@tammanyfields3583]

Awesome. You have a great inflection in describing the show I still love.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thank you very much!

[@patrickryan1515]

God bless you, Rusty. You certainly made me laugh -- a whole lot. No better contribution made to life than that!

[@CharlesBonia]

Thanks, Dave, wonderful update on a character I liked and forgot about thru the years!

[@jdsundstrom]

You are very welcome, Charles!

[@SMac-bq8sk]

LITB is the best of "the good stuff!" My all-time fav TV show. Thank you Dave for your many interesting vids about LITB, and also for your kind way of presenting them.🙂

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoy it, S. Mac!

[@RockReynolds]

The show I liked best, was when Larry needed some money, so he tossed the coin jar out into the front yard, so that he and Beaver could "find it". Larry's explanation to Beaver: an airplane dude must have been flying upside down, and the money fell out of his pockets, and onto Larry's yard.

[@norms3913]

😅😅😅

[@Kharkovkid]

It brought back to mind all the stupid transparent lies I told my Old Man, after stealing money from him...

[@RockReynolds]

@@Kharkovkid One of my favorite lines from the show: Beaver's Dad: "Beaver, is there something I should know, that you're not telling me? Beaver's answer: "No, Dad. There's nothing you should know, that I'm not telling you."

[@itsme-rt7nz]

@@RockReynolds Ha ha. I can just hear The Beav saying that.

[@brianmiller5265]

@@RockReynolds yea beaver had those great lines...but only the first 3 seasons.i thought the show got awful the last two years. The dialogue etc. Changed. Those first 3 years were great. Love when beavers little friend thought he turned into a rock

[@jonnaosborne1832]

What a nice happy ending for a child star. He got to sample the life of a child star, and also experience a real, normal life, and turned out happy and well adjusted. Thanks for the entertainment, Rusty.

[@davidwilliams1060]

My mother said at the time that he was written out because his talent made everybody else look less stellar. Maybe not the reason but he definitely did a good job. Thanks for the information.

[@Riogi]

David, I agree with your mother and do not believe the other stories about him wanting to leave. I believe he was pushed out of the role. The show was never the same without Larry.

[@shawnglaze2485]

Larry was probably my favorite character on that show. Even over Eddie.

[@tallhair]

If Larry made everyone else look stellar you are saying he wasn’t a very good actor. I can agree with your Mother to a degree, but he did come accross as a very believable kid.

[@mickeymantool8188]

Thanks for your service Rusty.👍

[@chadbaxter5578]

Great video. Always the best way to get the true story is form the own persons mouth. Thanks so much For doing this on your channel. All of your fans love the history and knowledge

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@toinimoore3463]

That kid I remember when I was little got Beaver in trouble all the time! I am Very Happy that he has a normal life and he’s Very Special I think Thank You for serving our country!You Really did do the Right and bet you made many buddies in the service and hope you keep in touch with them My Dad was in WW2 and kept in touch with his until he died in 2004 at 87!

[@markzimmerman5903]

We still injoy the show to this day. Thank you for this 😎

[@jdsundstrom]

You bet!

[@tomb8112]

I grew up watching this show and Larry was I think my favorite character. It cracked me up because a lot of times he'd say his mother hit him because he called his sister an ugly toad. LOL!

[@christopherveeser9679]

I still watch that show! I laugh when I do😆

[@jdsundstrom]

Me too, Christopher!

[@SiccDeville]

Larry was very funny on the show. he and his really old mom always talked about Larry would get it when his dad came home from Cincinnati. one of the episodes i like is when Larry ran away from home and ended up hiding in Beaver's bathtub and comedy ensues.

[@tagnut1952]

Mrs. Mondello : Mr Cleaver, Mr Cleaver. That's Larry's suitcase going up in the air. How can a suitcase just go up in the air?

[@steveperry1344]

my family and i started watching the show from the beginning in the late 50's and all through it's run. i still watch it today and it has really held up. a couple of years ago we took my nephew to a comicon fest in the boston area and i met the beaver and wally who are now in their 70's like me and they were really friendly and nice nice to talk to.

[@tyson1fan487]

I still love this show and watch it daily on MeTV and Peacock.

[@jaelge]

I loved Larry, and loved getting mad at him for getting the Beav in trouble. He left a hole in that show that was never quite filled. Glad he grew up happy and am thankful to him for serving our country as well.

[@stevenmullens584]

If you recall that darn Gilbert was really good at getting the beavin Trouble 2 helps make the show what it was long with Eddie Haskell all in the mischievous ones

[@jaelge]

@@stevenmullens584: Oh, yeah, Gilbert was pretty awesome. He was almost an Eddie Haskell junior, LOL!

[@radicalross7700]

You could also say Gilbert was the little brother Eddie Haskell never had! Maybe they were cousins.

[@jaelge]

@@radicalross7700: Maybe he was. We´re left to speculate and fill in any gaps left by the show to suit our own narratives, aren´t we? I rather like your notion, myself. If you´ll recall, in the first few episodes of The Andy Griffith show it was established that Barney was Andy´s cousin, then the writers abandoned that idea. However, I always considered the two kin.

[@radicalross7700]

Speaking of filling in gaps with speculation: I always figured if Barney was Andy's cousin, he must be a maternal cousin. That's why Andy's paternal aunt Bee wasn't Barney's aunt.

[@kathleenlingenfelder2287]

Thank you Dave for the story.

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome Kathleen!

[@ibrake4butterflies]

YESSSS THANK YOU. THIS FAN IS SO VERY HAPPY TO FINALLY KNOW MR. ROBERT “RUSTY” STEVENS IS WELL AND ENJOYING HIS LIFE. I TOTALLY GET WHY AS A KID HE HAD HAD ENOUGH. Like Larry once said in an episode about a stolen row boat at Friend’s Lake “Why go where there’s trouble?” Thumbs Up 👍 of course.

[@littlecharlie4293]

Well he had to do what he did. Thankfully so many of the others stayed to make the great classics we and generations to come can enjoy.

[@ibrake4butterflies]

The character of Larry Mondello left a big deposit in the classic tv account to last forever.

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

Larry and Eddie were such goofballs and made the show fun.

[@toddfowler4017]

Thanks for the TRUE story Mr. Dave! I think when it came right down to it, Rusty like so many other actors, just couldn't handle the Hollywood treadmill. It's totally understandable, especially for a child actor. I think the same could be said for Patty Duke. Except her mom MADE her stay, while Rusty's mom let him go. He just wanted to be Rusty, not Larry!

[@d.g.n9392]

We love these shows. In fact we ordered a box set of all the seasons on dvd.

[@jdsundstrom]

Nice!

[@stephenherrick9971]

What a natural...real witty character...seemed so lifelike!

[@eloiseockert9233]

As well as fat...

[@antoinettebrown3834]

This was very enjoyable! Thank you!

[@jdsundstrom]

Thank you!

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

Rusty was lucky to have not remained heavy through adulthood. I was expecting him to look like Chris Farley.

[@FdaNWO]

My favorite show of all time, makes me wish I lived in that era. They had their problems but the evil didn't show as much as it flaunts itself today. I refuse to watch most everything on tv nowadays and will probably never watch another movie from Hollywood unless it stars or directed by Eastwood :( such a shame :( God help this world!

[@bobc4123]

Amen, Donny. I DID live in that era (well, Beav and Larry are a few years older than me), but the world was simpler and less dramatic than it is now. Back then, TV, radio, and newspapers spread info and opinions. Now, anyone with a phone does, unedited, and instantaneously, whether qualified, grounded in fact and understanding, or not. Like you said, God help this world.

[@robtans5042]

Im 62 retired now watch it everyday on me tv. I feel the same way. I watch a lot of metv today not much on new worth a damn. I still remember as a kid playing in the summer&spring. Eveybody back then had unlocked screen doors a lot had no ac. All up and down the street you could hear tvs on. When the theme of gunsmoke came on it was time to go in. I didnt miss gunsmoke still dont. The world has went to hell but hey we got 600lb sisters and my fabulous fat life now. I thank Ill watch gomer pyle instead

[@marshallmerritt7500]

Rusty did make an appearance in an episode of The Rifleman in it's final season in 1963.

[@lindawalter8837]

He always used to say " I almost got hurt where I was gonna have my operation"!!! LOL 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@tammys7802]

Just discovered your videos! Love this one a LOT, along with lots of other nostalgic shows (especially from the 50s and 60s). I even got my kids watching Leave it to Beaver about this six or seven years ago when they were in their early teens and they actually loved it! Larry...probably the best character outside the Cleaver family! (Well, and his mom, Mrs. Mondello!) You're right, he was SO real, and every time he shows up, I smile. Just watched part of the reunion movie this evening, Still the Beaver, made in 1983 and Rusty (Larry) actually made an appearance! Looking forward to catching up with some of your other nostalgic videos!

[@debrawindsor6720]

I'm glad to hear that he is doing great !

[@joegongora2200]

Rusty did Ok when he decided to leave Holly wood because most child actors don't live a normal life. He did what was right for him because child actors at times miss school because of their job. He saw what was the most important thing in his life.

[@rossbunnell7992]

One of the weirdest moments I remember is Larry walking down the sidewalk singing the Mills Brothers' "You always Hurt the One You Love" for no apparent reason.

[@Mv4yi]

At first, I thought that too, but next time I watched that episode. I found that song choice to be quite ironic. He was Beaver's best friend, yet was about to betray him by ditching his plan to return Beaver's money that day to go see a movie with 2 other friends. 🤔 I guess those lyrics could apply.

[@ChristSotos-fy4vw]

Larry's Mom in BATMAN was just a gem too ❤

[@jdsundstrom]

She sure did! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6e4aotjrbefgtE

[@jehobden]

I've seen Rusty in a late 1962 appearance as an orphan on WAGON TRAIN. Billy Mumy & Tommy Nolan played other orphans with him, Art Linkletter played the man taking care of them, and Nancy Davis Reagan, about 4 years from becoming CA First Lady, played a woman who opts to help take care of the brood at the end. Rusty also appeared on a RIFLEMAN episode from early 1963, so he was still acting on occasion, even if not as Larry anymore.

[@kimmontgomery6671]

Saw him once also on PERRY MASON, just for a few seconds however.

[@jehobden]

@@kimmontgomery6671 Was that the Halloween episode from 1962? Mason had a bunch of kids pose w/ masks on, including a short adult, to capture the not-quite-as-short murderer.

[@patrickwall8517]

Hugh Beaumont met Jerry Matters while shooting a commercial for prepaid funeral homes in which Jerry played his son. Hugh happened to mention to Jerry's mom that he was having a hard time getting work and was about to give up acting. Jerry's mother told him that Jerry had just been hired to shoot a pilot and that they were looking for someone to play the father. Not knowing about this conversation Jerry went home that night and prayed that Hugh would be hired to play his father. Hugh was given an audition and wound up getting the part.

[@Mv4yi]

What a great tidbit! Thanks for sharing that!

[@mhhh327]

Larry was my favorite on the show. I loved his personality.

[@denniselber9195]

Larry was great, always outsmarting the Beaver

[@MGRodriguez1]

Great information - I saw an interview with the actor (Robert) who played Larry Mondello. He did say he told his parents he missed being at a public school, along with his family & friends....Which was the reason he left the show.....

[@lennyjohnson9331]

Hi Dave , glad to see u still do n podcasts ,

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks Lenny!

[@lennyjohnson9331]

Not sure if u remember me ,I'm the turning Japanese question originally,. I think ? Anyway , the person who met Wendy ,while working at Wendy's n Albuquerque NM, n also, there &same time period , early 80a , dreamed of Jeannie , & got Rodger (bill daily) instead , when he asked to us to do a KOB radio station commercial with him , ,the peculiar meet Jesus JR ? N Roosevelt park deal , & meeting the uncers & visiting his wrecking yard on central Ave & uncer Blvd , in I summer n Albuquerque , , since we've talked , Dave mustaine(singer of Megadeth) texted me twice when I 1st asked him if he was related to this girl I met who said she was related to her , (crystal) who oddly looked kinda like him , & was a great singer as well, he didn't confirm or deny it , but I know he use to come to Prescott az, to do N/A meetings 1s a yr at the elks lodge on girly road,. But I did expect him to reply to me ? I know the last time I seen u were interviewing some big time people , have u in the last 2 yrs ?

[@jdsundstrom]

I definitely remember you Lenny. 🙂

[@jeffmooney5884]

Interesting story. I have just started watching the show's reruns with my mom. Larry's mom was played by Madge Blake, who, in the same period of time, also played Amos McCoy's friend Flora McMichael on The Real McCoys

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Jeff!

[@trudigoodman4825]

I loved this kid. I was a fat little kid....I could relate. His character had a real personality!

[@philiphatfield5666]

I liked the fact that Larry's father was always out of town. I lived in one neighborhood for six years and one guy's father was out of town so much that I never saw him----not once!

[@bcbock]

Being a child actor seems like a pretty miserable thing, based on so many stories of so many former child stars. But I’m glad to hear one of them escaped and was not pushed beyond reason by his parents.

[@billcatcher2701]

Rusty Stevens....what a natural....an incredible child actor...one of the best!

[@eloiseockert9233]

He was fat!

[@theastewart6721]

I’ve been watching Leave it to Beaver a lot these past couple of weeks and I’m really enjoying it. It brings back such fond memories for me. Larry was adorable in the series and Beaver always gave in, lol. I heard all of those stories too about his leaving. I will never believe that Barbara Billingsley lied about why he left the show but as you say, you never know what his parents did to get him out of his contract and the truth may have been distorted. All in all, he did a great job on the show and I am so happy to hear that he is leading a happy life! Thanks for a great video Dave! No onto whatever happened to Judy Hensley! She was such a character!😂

[@sharondesanto4082]

I read that they let Judy go cause her breast were growing. They were tying them up, but after awhile they couldn’t hide them.

[@maryloubrown7097]

I love The leave it to Beaver. I still watch it on every morning.

[@davemcguigan218]

Wasn't his father always away on business in Ohio? He also always had an apple in his pocket in case he was hungry!

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep, he was always on business trips. And yes...it seems like Rusty was always hungry. :)

[@davemcguigan218]

@@jdsundstrom Dave we never saw his older sister either that he ridiculed.

[@ralphdecew3749]

I think he was always in Cincinnati more often than not.

[@Barnabas45]

Cincinnati!

[@bradsmack1]

Mad props to Larry for carrying an apple! When I was Larry's age, if it wasn't a cookie or two, I could often be found with a package of Twinkies in my pocket! I would always pass on a fruit option when it was discovered things like apples didn't have a cream center!

[@heatherwhittaker6169]

Thank you so much Dave..I live your channel...I've been watching Monk reruns, and I've attempted finding out what happened to his first assistant the actress Bitty Schram...that could be interesting..she was good. .

[@jdsundstrom]

Ah...Monk! What a great show. Bitty was released from her contract during the 3rd season after attempting to renegotiate her contract. She did return for a single episode during the show's 8th season. That would be a fun one to do! Thanks for the suggestion, Heather.

[@heatherwhittaker6169]

@@jdsundstrom thanks Dave

[@JW...-oj5iw]

@@heatherwhittaker6169 ... On my keyboard, i and o are adjacent, near the upper right corner of the touch screen.

[@spiritinthesky4853]

Ty so much for this feel good video

[@carolynlong9148]

My mother grew up with this show. I too watched this show in the eighties on KTLA channel five. It now comes on Coze along with some other old shows.

[@jacquessimmons7981]

We love you Rusty 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿 I used to watch the reruns there was not another show like it ever in my view 😎🙏🏾

[@hectorfarm9416]

Larry and his mother. Were my two favorite characters on the show.

[@jdsundstrom]

Mine too, Hectorfarm!

[@angelamatlock1932]

ive seen every beaver episode!! I still love it and I still watch it every time I catch it

[@anneraleigh9199]

Loved the show. Still watch it now on peacock.

[@davidtosh7200]

Larry Mondello played by Rusty Stevens. His first appearance is Beaver’s Short Pants (season 1, episode 11) in January 1958, and his last appearance is Mother’s Day Competition (Season 3, episode 31) in May 1960.

[@cdgates1]

His last appearance was in season 4 episode 6

[@davidtosh7200]

Actually it is season 4, episode 5, which is Beaver’s Freckles.

[@jillmitchell1500]

I always felt a little sorry for Larry. I knew a kid in elementary school like Larry, a little overweight, socially awkward, and I was probably his only friend. The teacher didn't like him either. He spent most of the year in the back corner of the classroom making weird noises. Funny how some TV characters can reflect real life.

[@lawrencekrikorian4681]

always loved the episode in which Beaver moved the school clock's hands to get out early

[@jdsundstrom]

I don't remember that one!

[@tommystx]

that was Larry who moved the clock when Beaver was sent to the nurse for s stuck ring

[@michaeltuz608]

What a nice story. How very appropriate that a cast member from _Leave It to Beaver_ would have such a deep appreciation for community and family. A few months ago I came across Rusty on an episode of _77 Sunset Strip_ titled "The Attic." The character he played was essentially Larry Mondello, which makes me wonder if that's who he really was...

[@jdsundstrom]

I get the feeling that Rusty really was just playing a version of himself on all these programs.

[@fios4me]

Rusty certainly played the character well. His facial expressions, mannerisms and reactions to situations he would get himself into as a silly kid were so natural and spot on. The show really did have an outstanding supporting cast. Larry, Lumpy, Eddie, Whitey, Gilbert, Richard and Fred Rutherford. They were all great! 😂

[@dmwatters4560]

Thanks for this, I am watching the series right now and really wondered where he went!