History of Ken Osmond in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 28, 2024

Kenneth Charles Osmond was an American actor best known for his role as Eddie Haskell on the television sitcom "Leave It to Beaver." Starting as a child actor at age four, he struggled to find work outside of his typecast role. Later in life, Osmond served as a Los Angeles police officer before returning to acting and reprising his iconic role in "The New Leave It to Beaver."

June 7, 1943: Birth of Ken Osmond

Kenneth Charles Osmond was born on June 7, 1943.

1957: Ken Osmond Cast as Eddie Haskell in "Leave It to Beaver"

At age 14, Ken Osmond landed the iconic role of Eddie Haskell in the sitcom "Leave It to Beaver" in 1957.

1958: Guest Appearance on "Official Detective"

In 1958, Ken Osmond appeared as Henry in "The Deserted House" episode of the television series "Official Detective".

1959: Guest Appearance in "Colt .45"

Ken Osmond guest-starred in the 1959 episode "Dead Aim" of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series "Colt .45".

1963: "Leave It to Beaver" Ends

After a successful run, "Leave It to Beaver" ended in 1963.

1964: Guest Appearance on "Petticoat Junction"

Ken Osmond made a guest appearance on "Petticoat Junction" in 1964, playing Harold Boggs in the episode "The Genghis Keane Story".

1967: Final Guest Appearance on "Lassie"

Ken Osmond made his final guest appearance on "Lassie" in 1967, playing a motorcycle delivery man in the episode "A Matter of Seconds".

1968: Ken Osmond Buys His First House

In 1968, Ken Osmond purchased his first home.

1969: Ken Osmond Marries Sandra Purdy

Ken Osmond married Sandra Purdy in 1969.

1970: Ken Osmond Joins the LAPD

Seeking career stability, Ken Osmond joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1970 and worked as a motorcycle officer.

1971: Osmond Questioned by Internal Affairs

In 1971, Ken Osmond was questioned by LAPD Internal Affairs about a rumor falsely linking him to adult films.

September 20, 1980: Ken Osmond Shot in the Line of Duty

On September 20, 1980, Ken Osmond was shot three times while pursuing a car theft suspect.

1983: Osmond Returns as Eddie Haskell

Ken Osmond reprised his role as Eddie Haskell in the 1983 CBS television movie "Still the Beaver".

1984: Osmond Applies for Disability Pension

Ken Osmond applied for a disability pension in 1984 following his on-duty shooting.

1984: "The New Leave It to Beaver" Premieres

The success of "Still the Beaver" led to the spin-off series "The New Leave It to Beaver," which premiered in 1984.

1986: Osmond Testifies About Urban Legend

During his disability hearing in 1986, Ken Osmond revealed that he was once investigated by LAPD Internal Affairs due to a false rumor connecting him to adult film star John Holmes.

1986: Disability Pension Initially Denied

The Los Angeles Board of Pension Commissioners denied Ken Osmond's request for a disability pension in 1986.

1987: Osmond Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Young Artist Foundation honored Ken Osmond with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award in 1987 for his portrayal of Eddie Haskell.

1988: Osmond Awarded Disability Pension

After appealing the initial decision, a judge overturned the board's denial and granted Ken Osmond a lifetime pension in 1988. He retired from the police force.

1989: "The New Leave It to Beaver" Ends

After four seasons, "The New Leave It to Beaver" concluded in 1989.

November 1992: Osmond Shooting Dramatized on "Top Cops"

The 1980 shooting incident involving Ken Osmond was recreated for a November 1992 episode of the CBS series "Top Cops".

1997: Osmond Cameos in "Leave It to Beaver" Movie

Ken Osmond made a cameo appearance as Eddie Haskell Sr. in the 1997 film adaptation of "Leave It to Beaver".

September 18, 2007: Osmond Files Lawsuit Against SAG

On September 18, 2007, Ken Osmond filed a class-action lawsuit against the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) regarding the alleged withholding of foreign residuals.

2008: Ken Osmond Discusses Typecasting

During a 2008 radio interview with Stu Shostak, Ken Osmond spoke about the challenges of being typecast after his role as Eddie Haskell.

August 2011: Osmond Becomes St. Joseph Aspirin Spokesperson

Ken Osmond became a celebrity spokesperson for St. Joseph Aspirin in August 2011.

September 2014: Release of "Eddie: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy"

Ken Osmond's autobiography, "Eddie: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy," co-written with Christopher J. Lynch, was published in September 2014.