As of 2025, Jerry Mathers is estimated to have a net worth ranging between $3 million and $4 million. He is best known as a former child actor who achieved enduring fame playing Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on the beloved sitcom Leave It to Beaver. His wealth stems from decades of earnings across television reruns, royalties, stage work, appearances, real estate, and endorsements. Mathers’ financial path is a rare blend of early stardom and savvy personal management that endured well into his later life.

Jerry Mathers: Facts & Figures (2025)

Early Life & Background

Jerry Mathers was born Gerald Patrick Mathers on June 2, 1948, in Sioux City, Iowa. His zodiac sign is Gemini. His father, Norman (Norm) Mathers, served as a high school principal and later a school district executive in Los Angeles. His mother, Marilyn Mathers, was a homemaker. Jerry grew up with two younger siblings—brother Jim (Jimmy) Mathers and sister Susie Mathers—both of whom also acted as children. The family later relocated to the San Fernando Valley in California, which provided proximity to Hollywood and opportunities in acting. He attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1973.

Career Beginnings

Jerry’s acting career began remarkably early. At age 2, he appeared in a department store advertisement. This led to a PET Milk commercial with comedian Ed Wynn, igniting a lifelong career in entertainment. By age four, he appeared in films such as This Is My Love, Men of the Fighting Lady, and The Trouble with Harry—the latter directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

The defining moment came in 1957, at just nine years old, when he landed the iconic role of Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver. He famously told producers he would rather attend a Cub Scout meeting than audition, and his candor landed him the part. He appeared in all 234 episodes over six seasons. Notably, he made history as the first child actor to secure a percentage of merchandising revenue from a TV show—a deal that continues to bring income decades later.

Rise to Fame

Leave It to Beaver became a cultural landmark. Its portrayal of suburban family life resonated across the country and around the globe, and the show aired in over 80 countries and more than 40 languages. Its enduring appeal helped Jerry maintain visibility and income well past his child actor years.

After the original run ended in 1963, Mathers temporarily stepped away from acting to focus on his education. In the late 1970s, he returned to entertainment. In 1978, he starred alongside Tony Dow in a dinner theater production of So Long, Stanley, touring the country. In 1983, he reprised Beaver in the television movie Still the Beaver, which led to the sequel series The New Leave It to Beaver airing from 1984–1989 with over 100 episodes produced.

In 2007, he made his Broadway debut playing Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray. His performance in a Tony Award–winning musical showcased his range and boosted his earnings from stage work.

Income Streams & Ventures

Jerry Mathers’ net worth is built on multiple income sources across his life:

Television and Syndication Royalties

Because of his merchandising contract and the ongoing syndication of Leave It to Beaver, he continues to earn royalties for reruns and associated merchandise. This remains a steady source of income.

Acting Roles and Reunions

He earned income from his childhood roles, revivals like The New Leave It to Beaver, guest appearances on shows such as Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, Diagnosis: Murder, and Married… with Children, as well as his Broadway performance.

Merchandising

Products related to Leave It to Beaver—toys, lunchboxes, DVDs—still generate revenue, on which Mathers receives a cut thanks to his groundbreaking merchandising contract.

Stage and Speaking Engagements

Mathers continued to earn from interviews, nostalgic television conventions, and fan events. He also worked in philanthropic or awareness campaigns, including diabetes awareness after his diagnosis in the mid-1990s.

Real Estate and Banking Ventures

After college, Jerry worked as a bank loan officer and then transitioned into real estate development using his early savings from acting. His investments in property contributed meaningfully to his net worth.

Endorsements and Spokesperson Work

In the late 1990s, after his diabetes diagnosis, he lost over 40 pounds and became a spokesperson for a weight-loss company. He also served as the national spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), focusing on prescription assistance.

Major Achievements and Awards

While formal awards are not a key part of his legacy, Jerry Mathers has earned many notable recognitions:

• He received a Young Artist Award in 1984 for lifetime achievement as a former child star.
• In 2023, he was honored with the Icon Award at the Family Film & TV Awards.
• He is often named one of television’s most recognizable figures, including high “Q” ratings for name and face recognition.
• He starred in the first professional British pantomime performed in the U.S., playing Baron Hardup in Cinderella.

Personal Life

Jerry Mathers’ personal life has had its own chapters. He married three times. In 1974, he wed Diana Platt and later divorced. In 1977, he married Rhonda Gehring, with whom he had three children—Noah, Mercedes, and Gretchen—before divorcing in 1997. In 2011, he married Teresa Modnick, and the couple resides in Santa Clarita, California.

In 1996, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He underwent significant lifestyle changes and lost over 40 pounds. This experience led him to become an advocate for health awareness.

Philanthropy and Social Work

Mathers has quietly contributed to causes that reflect his personal journey. Following his diabetes diagnosis, he became involved in health advocacy and awareness. Though not widely publicized, his spokesperson role and national appearances supporting prescription assistance point to a meaningful philanthropic dimension to his post-acting life.

Latest Ventures or Current Status

Though he no longer acts full-time, Jerry remains active in the public sphere:

• He continues to appear at TV conventions, nostalgia events, and interviews.
• He maintains a presence representing classic television, notably Leave It to Beaver.
• He remains engaged with fans through public appearances and speaking engagements.

Legacy and Public Perception

Jerry Mathers is cherished as a cultural icon. Generations know him as Beaver Cleaver—an eternally wholesome figure. He seamlessly transitioned from child star to adult life without major scandal, education problems, or burning bridges. Fans and colleagues often describe him as gracious and grounded. His legacy rests not just in nostalgia, but in lasting influence: Leave It to Beaver shaped American comedy and remains a nostalgic mainstay.

Conclusion

Jerry Mathers’ financial story reflects patience, persistence, and smart stewardship. With an estimated net worth of $3 to $4 million as of 2025, he built personal wealth through acting, syndication revenues, stage success, real estate, endorsements, and public work. More importantly, he balanced a life under the spotlight with education, entrepreneurship, and family. His legacy endures not only in episodes of Leave It to Beaver, but in a career defined by stability, adaptability, and grace. Mathers remains a beloved figure whose influence spans generations of television history.

Jerry Mathers Official Social Media & Website