Ken Osmond, best known for his role as the troublemaker Eddie Haskell on the television comedy “Leave It to Beaver,” died on Monday morning. He was 76.


Sources tell Variety Osmond died at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family members. The cause of death is unknown.

“He was an incredibly kind and wonderful father,” Haskell’s son Eric said. “He had his family gathered around him when he passed. He was loved and will be very missed.”

Henry Lane, Osmond’s former partner at the Los Angeles Police Department, also confirmed the news and said he had suffered from respiratory issues.

After “Leave it to Beaver” finished its run in 1963, Osmond returned for the telefilm “Still the Beaver” in 1983 and for the revival series “The New Leave it to Beaver.” His sons on the series were played by his real-life sons Eric and Christian. He returned to the role a final time in 1997’s feature film “Leave it to Beaver.”

Osmond, a native of Glendale, Calif., began his career as a child actor with his first speaking part at age 9 in the film “So Big,” starring Jane Wyman and Sterling Hayden, followed by “Good Morning Miss Dove,” and “Everything But the Truth.” He also guest-starred on television series including “Lassie,” “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” “Wagon Train,” “Fury” and “The Loretta Young Show.”

In 1957, Osmond auditioned for the the Eddie Haskell role, which was originally intended to be a guest appearance, but those involved with the show were so impressed with Osmond’s portrayal that the character became a key component of the series throughout its six-season run of 234 episodes.

Osmond portrayed Haskell as sycophantic to grownups while making fun of them behind their backs. He was a high school friend of Wally Cleaver, older brother of Theodore “The Beaver” Cleaver, and constantly trying to entice his friends into activities that would get them into trouble. During the final years of the show, Osmond was in the U.S. Army Reserve.

When the series ended, Osmond continued working as an actor, appearing on “Petticoat Junction,” “The Munsters,” and a return appearance on “Lassie.” He appeared in feature films “C’mon Let’s Live a Little” and “With Six You Get Eggroll” but found himself typecast as Eddie Haskell.

Osmond joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1970 and grew a mustache to be less recognizable. In 1980, Osmond was shot in a chase with a suspected car thief, though he was saved by his bulletproof vest. He was put on disability and retired from the force in 1988.

Osmond filed a class-action lawsuit in 2007 against the Screen Actors Guild, asserting that SAG had over-stepped its authority in collecting foreign royalties without disclosing the collection agreements until he and Jack Klugman threatened to file suit. The action was settled in 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and two sons, Christian and Eric.



https://variety.com/2020/tv/ne...exY8PTD_PxTdVSLqxbIs

RIP Eddie!

There's a meme floating out there "Mrs Cleaver when I asked to see the Beav.... oh never mind"

Eddie Haskell was my favorite character on the show. Funny guy.

Reminds me of the old one about "Who uttered the nastiest line ever said on a network TV show?"

Barbara Billingsley as June Cleaver: "Now Ward, don't you think you were a little too hard on the Beaver last night?"

RIP Eddie Haskell.... His skill and ease demonstrating slick introduction to 'the con' before I had even heard the term...

You could always rely on not being able to rely on anything that was uttered by Eddie.

May God bless Mr Osmond and may he not lapse back into that insincere flattery, while in the presence of our Lord.

Definitely a key figure that made LTB the great show that it was. RIP.

He may not have invented suck-up, but he was the poster child.

Damn, and I still watch Leave It To Beaver occasionally.

Eddie Haskell is one of THE iconic characters in TV history. Even my son's college friends know who Eddie Haskell is. The character transcends time and trends. EVERYBODY has had an Eddie in their lives, they may have been one themselves.

Rest In Peace.

Never knew he was a cop. He played Eddie perfectly.

RIP Eddie. We have all had an Eddie Haskell buddy. IIRC he was a motorcycle cop for LAPD and one of the first DRE’s.

When I came on the job with LAPD in 78, he was already there. I remember him being a motor officer but cant remember which division he worked. If I remember correctly, during the academy we trained a couple of times at Universal Studios on that street where Leave it to Beaver was filmed but I could be mistaken. That was a long time ago.

RIP Ken. KMA-367.

Another legend gone. RIP.

He was iconic. I met a number of characters in my career who I referred to as Eddie Haskell. They are everywhere. RIP Eddie.

Shoot, you could make a comment like ..."oh no, another Eddie Haskill" to any baby boomer today and they know exactly what you mean.

That is an actor that made an impression. RIP.

Looking at his film credits, I realise that I probably saw him in a bunch of those other shows/films, but the slick Eddie Haskel is his only role that I can remember. RIP

This from poster Timber Queen at Lucianne.com --

I worked with Officer Osmond when I was a Morning Watch (Graveyard) record clerk at Central Division, downtown on the ground floor of the old Parker Center (1974-76). He was very funny and very unassuming. The total opposite of Eddy Haskell, which tells you something about his acting abilities. He was really a good egg about his "claim to fame." As a Skid Row foot beat officer the majority of his bookings were drunks and ladies of the night, also usually drunk. In the cold light of the Watch Commander's office during booking his partner would ask the arrestee if Officer Osmond looked familiar. Generally, they were confused and the partner would reveal their brush with stardom, "You've been arrested by Eddie Haskell." Ken would confirm by saying, "You look lovely today Mrs. Cleaver." The looks and reactions were priceless.

I'm so thankful I got to know the man and the officer... and see the actor ply his craft. May the Perpetual Light shine upon him.


https://www.lucianne.com/2020/...ead_at_76_34438.html

My wife and I watch LTB every morning and today was a tribute to Ken. He will be missed.

Had no idea he was an officer. Very cool.

Interesting story. The kid you loved to hate.

RIP, Eddie!

flashguy