Disappearance of Rusty Stevens (Larry Mondello)

[geofknight]

Anybody know the fate of Rusty Stevens (Larry Mondello) during the run of the show? He disappeared near the end of the 3rd season after being quite heavily featured, especially in that 3rd season. Did his family move away, like Jeremy Gelbawks', the original drummer in the Partridge Family? For my money, Larry's hopeless-son, feckless friend schmoo character was almost as memorable as the incomparable Eddie.

[TVLanFan]

Elsewhere on one of these LITB boards, some folks have mentioned that Larry's family moved from California to New Jersey during the run of LITB, and he moved with them.

I think (I'm not sure) that he still lives in that area and works in the insurance field, but I could be wrong...but anyway, yes, his family moved away, so he had to leave the show...that was a shame, his character was definitely the best of Beaver's friends, and rivals Eddie Haskell as the most memorable character among the boys' friends...

[VioletRutherford]

It's funny cuz I just started a poll as to WHO was Beaver's best buddy. I do think he & Larry seemed the closest!! It was quite strange that they didn't even mention about Larry's disappearance?? He just went from Larry to Gilbert, Whitey & Richard.

[lukes42]

Yes, during the 3rd season, Rusty Stevens and his family moved to New Jersey. As we now know, Rusty is an insurance salesman in that state. But he lives a very private life, and apparently wants to keep his fame an absolute secret. He may not even go by the name of Rusty anymore. The FBI even had to search out Rusty for his role (Larry) in the 1983 Leave It To Beaver TV Movie. Nobody knew where he was, and nobody could find him. Well, the FBI did. But he has gone back into hiding, and he's no where to be found. :rolleyes:

[sami dg]

If Im not mistaken Rusty has a band now and a website although Im not sure what it is.

[DarleneIllyria]

Originally posted by sami dg
If Im not mistaken Rusty has a band now and a website although Im not sure what it is.


.............oh my god, is this still true? I mean, it's just a mind blower thinking of Rusty in a band.

And frankly, when Rusty and Madge left the show, I just missed them. I thought Larry Mondello was hilarious. If they had stayed on the show, maybe I would've been a big fan of the later seasons.

[Mijada]

I missed Larry and his mom too. Mrs. Mondello was a riot.

"Larry, why are you in here reading your sisters diary when I've told you not to read your sisters diary. Then I come in here and catch you reading your sisters diary!"

[DarleneIllyria]

Originally posted by Mijada
I missed Larry and his mom too. Mrs. Mondello was a riot.

"Larry, why are you in here reading your sisters diary when I've told you not to read your sisters diary. Then I come in here and catch you reading your sisters diary!"

:rotflmao: I think Madge was hilarious on everything I saw her in. I loved her on Batman. She was def. a wonderful actress.

[Frnk55]

Rusy needs to lighten up a little bit and crawl out of his cave.:lol: