Bogus Reports - Over the years, many rumors have spread about one celebrity or another kicking the bucket. In the 1970-80s, rumors spread that Mikey (John Gilchrist) the freckled-faced boy from the Life Cereal commercials had died from eating Pop Rocks and Coca-Cola (or choked to death after biting off the head of a G.I. Joe Doll). Gilchrist is alive and well and working as a account executive in New York City. In the 1960s, an erroneous press release from the AP and UPI wire services stated that Jerry Mathers, the "Beaver" from LEAVE IT TO BEAVER/CBS/ABC/1957-63 had died in Vietnam. On a December 22, 1969 interview on THE TONIGHT SHOW with Johnny Carson, guest Shelley Winters repeated the story to a nation of late night viewers. Jerry Mathers however, did not die and went on to star in the spin-off THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER/DIS/TBS/1985-89. And finally, Bob Denver who played beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS/CBS/1959-63 and first mate Gilligan on GILLIGAN'S ISLAND/CBS/1964-67 allegedly had died from an electrical shock after a radio had fallen into his bathtub in the early 1960s. Bob Denver never experienced such a situation and the only "charge" he is guilty of is being charged for possession of marijuana in June of 1998. At last report, Denver was seen living in Princeton, West Virginia with a great big grin on his face. (TV Guide 7/25/1998 p. 10-16).