Hugh Beaumont

Hugh Beaumont was an American actor who is best known for his role as Ward Cleaver in the television series “Leave It to Beaver,” as well as appearances in films such as “The Blue Dahlia” and “Night Passage.”

Personal and Family Life

Hugh Beaumont was born Eugene Hugh Beaumont on February 16, 1909, in Lawrence, Kansas. He married Kathryn Adams on April 13, 1941, and they had three children: Hunter, Mark, and Kristy. Beaumont originally trained to be a minister but eventually chose a career in acting, though he continued to be involved in church activities throughout his life. In the late 1960s, he retired from acting and became a Christmas tree farmer in Minnesota.

Career Highlights

Beaumont began his acting career in 1931, performing on stage and the radio. He gained significant recognition for his role as Ward Cleaver on “Leave It to Beaver,” which aired from 1957 to 1963. He also worked as a director and was involved in community theater. Despite facing health challenges, including a stroke in 1972, Beaumont managed to recover and continued to engage with the performing arts.

Death and Legacy

Hugh Beaumont passed away on May 14, 1982, in Munich, Germany, from a heart attack while visiting his son Hunter, who was a psychology professor. His legacy lives on through his iconic role in “Leave It to Beaver” and his contributions to both film and television. He is remembered as a talented actor and devoted family man.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Night Without Sleep 1952-09-26 John Harkness
The Seventh Victim 1943-08-21 Gregory Ward
Money Madness 1948-04-15 Steve Clark
Night Passage 1957-07-24 Jeff Kurth
Apology for Murder 1945-09-27 Kenny Blake
Leave It to Beaver 1957-10-04 Ward Cleaver
Petticoat Junction 1963-09-24 Ronnie Beckman
Adventures of Superman 1952-09-19 Various
The Virginian 1962-09-19 Several roles
Mannix 1967-09-16 Frank Abbott