‘McKeever and the Colonel’ Child Star Passes Away at 76

John Eimen, a beloved child star known for his role in the TV series McKeever and the Colonel, has passed away at the age of 76. He died on Friday due to prostate cancer at his home in Mukilteo, Washington. His family revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer only in September.

Early Life and Career

Born on October 2, 1949, in Chicago, Eimen started acting at a young age. His big break came when he was discovered by an agent in his classroom in Los Angeles. At just six years old, he made his television debut in the first episode of Leave It to Beaver in October 1957. He continued to appear on the show during its six-season run until 1963.

• TV and Film Appearances: Eimen appeared in notable shows including:
• McKeever and the Colonel
• The Twilight Zone
• Have Gun — Will Travel
• The Rebel
• The Untouchables
• Lawman
• He was also featured in a 1965 film titled Never Too Late.

Memorable Roles

In 1962, Eimen joined the cast of McKeever and the Colonel as Cadet Monk Roberts, a character at a military school. The show, which starred Scott Lane and Allyn Joslyn, aired for only 26 episodes. Additionally, he played a role in the iconic The Twilight Zone episode titled “The Fugitive.”

Despite the challenges of fading roles as he grew older, Eimen maintained a positive outlook. He transitioned into music as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Eimen moved to Japan, where he taught English and performed in clubs and on television for more than a decade.

Life Beyond Acting

Eimen’s journey took him back to the United States in the mid-1990s, where he settled in West Seattle and later Mukilteo. His proficiency in Japanese enabled him to work as a flight attendant for an American airline, a position he held for 25 years until retiring in 2020 at the age of 71.

Legacy and Survivors

Eimen is survived by his wife, Midori, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage, his sons Daniel and Chris, and his grandsons Lucas and Oliver. A memorial service for friends and family is being planned to honor his life.