Barbara Billingsley, the actress who set the template for TV mom roles back in the 1950s as "Leave It to Beaver's iconic June Cleaver, died Saturday in Santa Monica, a family spokesman revealed.
Billingsley, 94, had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.
Already a seasoned TV performer, Billingsley landed the matriarchal role on CBS' "Leave It to Beaver" in 1957, a job she would hold for six seasons and 236 episodes.
After the "Beaver's" run ended in 1963, she took a break from showbiz to raise her two boys, returning in 1980 as the jive translator in "Airplane!"
Jerry Mathers, who played Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver, released the following statement: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and lifetime mentor Barbara Billingsley. She will live in the hearts of her fans as a wonderful actress and be remembered by her friends as a gracious lady.
