Actress Barbara Billingsley, one of the stars of the television show “Leave It To Beaver,” poses as she arrives at the first annual TV Land Awards in Hollywood, California, in this March 2, 2003 file photo. Billingsley, who played the quintessential suburban American mom on the 1950s television comedy, died on October 16, 2010 at age 94. – Reuters Photo

LOS ANGELES: Barbara Billingsley, the actress who played the ideal American mother June Cleaver in the 1950s television series “Leave It To Beaver” died at the age of 94, a spokeswoman said Saturday.

Billingsley died in Santa Monica Saturday after a long illness, said a statement from family representative Judy Twersky.

The hugely popular show debuted in 1957 featuring Billingsley in the role of a sweet-natured stay-at-home mom who wore high heels, dresses and pearls as she baked cookies and took care of her two sons and husband. The show aired until 1963.

“America’s favorite mother is now gone. I feel very fortunate to have been her ‘son’ for 11 years,” said Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver. “We were wonderful friends and I will miss her very much.”

Billingsley, who began her career as a model before venturing into acting, was married three times and leaves behind two sons, Drew and Glenn.

“Our mom was truly the best mother. She was every bit as nurturing, classy, and lovely as ‘June Cleaver’ and we were so proud to share her with the world,” said Glenn Billingsley. — AFP