Actor. He is remembered as the All-American suburban father 'Ward Cleaver' on the 1950 and 1960s popular television series "Leave It To Beaver." He actually didn't like the role much at all, feeling that it had typecast him and all but obliterated recall of his many other roles in movies and on television. Born Eugene Hugh Beaumont in Lawrence, Kansas, he began his career in show business by performing in theaters, night clubs, and on the radio in 1931. He attended the University of Chattanooga in Tennessee, but left when his position on the football team was changed. Beaumont later attended the University of Southern California, and graduated with a Master of Theology degree in 1946. He began his film career in 1941, performing over the next couple of years usually as a supporting player in action films. In the 1950s, he was a frequent actor in television dramas, with multiple appearances in "Four Star Playhouse," "Calvacade Theatre," and "The Loretta Young Show". After "Leave It To Beaver" which ran from October 4, 1957, to September 12, 1963, he appeared in a scattering of series episodes, including "Mannix," "The Virginian," and "Petticoat Junction." He continued to act until he suffered a stroke in 1972 which left his face partially paralyzed. He was told by doctors that he would never walk or talk again, but Beaumont went on to do some directing and community theater group work. On May 14, 1982 in Munich, Germany while visiting his eldest son Hunter, he died at his son's home from a sudden heart attack at age 72. He was a father and married to Kathryn Adams.
Actor. He is remembered as the All-American suburban father 'Ward Cleaver' on the 1950 and 1960s popular television series "Leave It To Beaver." He actually didn't like the role much at all, feeling that it had typecast him and all but obliterated recall of his many other roles in movies and on television. Born Eugene Hugh Beaumont in Lawrence, Kansas, he began his career in show business by performing in theaters, night clubs, and on the radio in 1931. He attended the University of Chattanooga in Tennessee, but left when his position on the football team was changed. Beaumont later attended the University of Southern California, and graduated with a Master of Theology degree in 1946. He began his film career in 1941, performing over the next couple of years usually as a supporting player in action films. In the 1950s, he was a frequent actor in television dramas, with multiple appearances in "Four Star Playhouse," "Calvacade Theatre," and "The Loretta Young Show". After "Leave It To Beaver" which ran from October 4, 1957, to September 12, 1963, he appeared in a scattering of series episodes, including "Mannix," "The Virginian," and "Petticoat Junction." He continued to act until he suffered a stroke in 1972 which left his face partially paralyzed. He was told by doctors that he would never walk or talk again, but Beaumont went on to do some directing and community theater group work. On May 14, 1982 in Munich, Germany while visiting his eldest son Hunter, he died at his son's home from a sudden heart attack at age 72. He was a father and married to Kathryn Adams.
Bio by: Curtis Jackson
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