Fans of Leave It to Beaver and classic TV are mourning the loss of John Eimen, the red-haired child actor whose familiar face appeared in many beloved shows of the 1950s and ’60s. Eimen passed away at 76 at his home in Mukilteo, Washington, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, his family told The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Chicago in 1949, Eimen’s Hollywood career began unexpectedly when a talent agent spotted him in his first-grade classroom soon after his family moved to Los Angeles. His bright red hair and freckles quickly made him a natural fit for television. By age six, he was appearing in shows like Ozzie and Harriet, Leave It to Beaver, The Millionaire, and Petticoat Junction. Fans remember him best as one of Beaver Cleaver’s classmates, beginning with the show’s pilot episode.
Through the ’60s, Eimen continued to work steadily, taking roles in The Twilight Zone, Lassie, Fury, and more. He also became one of the early faces of Carnation’s iconic “milk mustache” ads. Though he nearly landed a major breakthrough with the planned series Dr. Kate, the project fell through — something Eimen later recalled with his trademark good humor.
As he grew older, he shifted toward music and theater, eventually traveling the world as a performer. A blind date led him to Japan, where he lived for a decade teaching English, performing on TV, and translating comics. Later, he enjoyed a long career as a Japanese-speaking flight attendant for Northwest Airlines.
Eimen is survived by his wife, Midori; their sons, Daniel and Chris; and grandsons Lucas and Oliver. His legacy lives on through the timeless shows that defined a generation.