Who was Hugh Beaumont? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Eugene Hugh Beaumont

Died At Age: 73

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Kathryn Adams Doty (m. 1941–1974)

father: Edward H. Beaumont

mother: Ethel Adaline Whitney

children: Hunter Beaumont, Kristy Beaumont, Mark Beaumont

Actors Directors

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Died on: May 14, 1982

place of death: Munich, Germany

Notable Alumni: University Of Chattanooga

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

U.S. State: Kansas

More Facts

education: University Of Southern California, University of Chattanooga

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1

What was Hugh Beaumont's occupation before becoming an actor?

Before becoming an actor, Hugh Beaumont worked as a Methodist minister.
2

In which popular TV series did Hugh Beaumont play the role of Ward Cleaver?

Hugh Beaumont portrayed the character of Ward Cleaver in the beloved TV series "Leave It to Beaver."
3

Did Hugh Beaumont serve in the military?

Yes, Hugh Beaumont served in the United States Army during World War II.
4

What was one of Hugh Beaumont's notable hobbies outside of acting?

One of Hugh Beaumont's notable hobbies was painting, and he was known for his artistic talents.
5

How did Hugh Beaumont's portrayal of Ward Cleaver influence the portrayal of TV fathers in later shows?

Hugh Beaumont's portrayal of Ward Cleaver as a kind, understanding, and involved father figure set a standard for TV fathers in later shows.

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Childhood & Early Life

Eugene Hugh Beaumont was born on February 16, 1909, in Eudora, Kansas, USA, to Edward H. Beaumont and Ethel Adaline Whitney. He had a sister named Gloria Bussman.

After studying at the Baylor School, he enrolled at University of Chattanooga. He later attended University of Southern California and graduated from there with a Master of Theology degree.

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Career

Hugh Beaumont started appearing in motion pictures in 1940. Most of his early roles were minor and were not credited. In 1946–47, he starred in five movies as the private detective Michael Shayne.

During 1952 and 1953, he made guest appearances in a number of TV programs including 'Ford Theatre', 'Big Town', 'Letter to Loretta', 'Topper', 'Adventures of Superman', ‘The Lone Ranger’ and 'Four Star Playhouse', to name a few.

The actor had a guest role in ‘The Public Defender’, a series which aired on CBS. In 1955, he starred in the war film ‘Hell's Horizon’ alongside Marla English and John Ireland.

Beaumont featured in Universal International's science fiction horror movie ‘The Mole People’ in 1956. During this time, he also featured in one of the early episodes of CBS’s series ‘My Friend Flicka’.

In July 1957, he portrayed a sympathetic characterization of the infamous western robber Jesse James in the TV series ‘Tales of Wells Fargo’ and also played Jeff Kurth in the western ‘Night Passage’.

During the 1960s, he appeared in several community theater productions and had a few guest roles in television series like ‘The Virginian,’ ‘Mannix,’ ‘Petticoat Junction,’ and ‘Wagon Train.’

Beaumont also worked as a writer and sold several radio scripts, television screenplays, and stories to various magazines.

He retired from the show business in the late 1960s and started working as a Christmas-tree farmer in Minnesota. Unfortunately, he was forced to retire in 1972 after suffering a stroke.

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Major Works

From 1950 to 1953, Hugh Beaumont narrated Reed Hadley’s crime drama series ‘Racket Squad,’ appearing in 33 episodes. The series was based on the crime cases of a fictional detective named Captain John Braddock.

In 1957, the actor was cast in his best-remembered role as Ward Cleaver, a wise suburban father in the drama ‘Leave It to Beaver’ that followed an inquisitive young boy and his adventures in school, at home, and around his neighborhood.

Family & Personal Life

On April 13, 1941, Easter Sunday, Hugh Beaumont married actress Kathryn Adams. The couple had three children: Mark, Kristy and Hunter. They divorced in 1974.

On May 14, 1982, the actor died of heart attack while he was in Munich (then West Germany) where his son, a psychologist, was working.

The 1983 TV movie ‘Still the Beaver’ is dedicated to the talented actor. In the early 1980s, a rock band from Texas formed “The Hugh Beaumont Experience” using his name.

Facts About Hugh Beaumont

Hugh Beaumont was not just an actor, but also a licensed Methodist minister who occasionally performed weddings and funerals.

In addition to his role as Ward Cleaver on "Leave It to Beaver," Beaumont was a skilled jazz drummer who often played with local bands.

Beaumont was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time fishing and camping in his free time.

He was known for his dry sense of humor and would often entertain his "Leave It to Beaver" co-stars with his witty anecdotes on set.

Hugh Beaumont Biography

You wanted to know

What was Hugh Beaumont's occupation before becoming an actor?

In which popular TV series did Hugh Beaumont play the role of Ward Cleaver?

Did Hugh Beaumont serve in the military?

What was one of Hugh Beaumont's notable hobbies outside of acting?

How did Hugh Beaumont's portrayal of Ward Cleaver influence the portrayal of TV fathers in later shows?