Hugh Beaumont

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Hugh Beaumont
Hugh Beaumont 1956.JPG
Beaumont in 1956
Born
Eugene Hugh Beaumont

February 16, 1910 [1] [2]
DiedMay 14, 1982 (1982-05-15) (aged 72)
Education University of Chattanooga (Bachelor of Arts)
University of Southern California (Master of Theology)
OccupationActor
Years active1940–1972
Spouse
(m. 1941;div. 1974)
Children3

Eugene Hugh Beaumont (February 16, 1910 – May 14, 1982) was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Ward Cleaver on the television series Leave It to Beaver , originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963, and as private detective Michael Shayne in a series of low-budget crime films in 1946 and 1947. [3]

Contents

Early life

Beaumont was born in Lawrence, Kansas, [4] to Ethel Adaline Whitney and Edward H. Beaumont, a traveling salesman whose profession kept the family on the move. After graduating from the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the class of 1930, he attended the University of Chattanooga, where he played football. [5] He later studied at the University of Southern California and graduated with a master's degree in theology in 1946. [6]

Career

Beaumont began his career in show business in 1931 by performing in theaters, nightclubs, and radio. He began acting in motion pictures in 1940, appearing in over three dozen films. Many of those roles were bit parts and minor roles and were not credited. He often worked with actor William Bendix; they had prominent roles in the 1946 film noir The Blue Dahlia , playing the friends of star Alan Ladd's character. In 1946–1947, Beaumont starred in five films as private detective Michael Shayne, assuming the role from Lloyd Nolan. In 1950, he narrated the short film A Date with Your Family. He also starred in The Mole People in 1956. [7]

In the early 1950s, Beaumont secured television work, often with guest roles on series such as Adventures of Superman , City Detective , Crossroads , Fireside Theatre , Ford Theatre , The Lone Ranger , Medic , The Millionaire , and Schlitz Playhouse of Stars . From 1951 to 1953, he narrated the Reed Hadley series Racket Squad , based on the cases of fictional detective Captain John Braddock in San Francisco. In 1954 and 1955, Beaumont appeared in The Public Defender, Hadley's second series, appearing in three episodes as Ed McGrath. That year, he guest-starred in the Lassie episode "The Well", one of two episodes filmed as pilots for the series. [8] He also portrayed a sympathetic characterization of the Western bandit Jesse James on the series Tales of Wells Fargo .

In September 1957, Beaumont was selected to replace Max Showalter, who had appeared as Ward Cleaver in "It's a Small World", the original pilot for the sitcom Leave It to Beaver , in the role of wise small-town father Ward Cleaver. After initially airing to tepid ratings on CBS, the series moved to ABC for its second season, where it achieved more solid ratings. Beginning with the third season, Beaumont began directing several episodes; including the series' final episode "Family Scrapbook", often considered the first series finale. [8]

In 2014, TV Guide ranked Beaumont's portrayal of Ward Cleaver at number 28 on its list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time". [9]

In 1959, before production on the third season of Leave It to Beaver began, Beaumont's wife, son, and mother-in-law were driving from Minnesota to Hollywood to visit when a car accident killed Beaumont's mother-in-law and severely injured his son. [10] Jerry Mathers later stated that the tragedy seriously affected Beaumont's participation in the production, with Beaumont often just "walking through" his part. [11]

After Leave It to Beaver ended production in 1963, Beaumont appeared in many community theater productions and played a few guest roles on television series such as Marcus Welby, M.D. , Mannix , Petticoat Junction , The Virginian , and Wagon Train . In February 1966, he made another appearance on Lassie, 11 years after his first. [8]

He also continued to have success as a writer, selling several television screenplays and radio scripts as well as short stories to various magazines. [12] He gradually left the entertainment business, launching a second career as a Christmas-tree farmer in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. After suffering a debilitating stroke in 1970, Beaumont officially retired from acting in 1972. In 1980, he did appear in a Beaver reunion with the rest of the cast that was conducted by a local Los Angeles TV station.

Personal life and death

On April 13, 1941, Beaumont wed actress Kathryn Adams (née Hohn) at the Hollywood Congregational Church. [13] They had sons Hunter and Mark, and daughter Kristy. Their marriage lasted 33 years, until their divorce in 1974. [14] His son Hunter Beaumont  [ de ] (1943–2023) was a psychotherapist and author living in Germany.

Beaumont was a lay minister in the Methodist Church. [15] During World War II, he was a conscientious objector and served as a medic. [8] [16]

On May 14, 1982, Beaumont died of a heart attack while visiting his son Hunter in Munich, West Germany. He was 72 years old. [12]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1940 Phantom Raiders Seamanuncredited
The Secret Seven Southern Racketeeruncredited
1941 South of Panama Paul Martin
The Cowboy and the Blonde Sound Manuncredited
Private Nurse McDonalduncredited
Unfinished Business Hugh, the Bridegroomuncredited
Forbidden Passage Clementspart of the Crime Does Not Pay series
Week-End in Havana Clipper Officeruncredited
1942 Right to the Heart Willie Donovan
Unseen Enemy Narrator
Young America G-Man
Canal Zone Radio Operatoruncredited
To the Shores of Tripoli Orderlyuncredited
The Wife Takes a Flyer Officeruncredited
Gang Busters Announcer and voice on office radiouncredited
Top Sergeant Radio Newscasteruncredited voice
Flight Lieutenant John McGinnisuncredited
Wake Island Captainuncredited
Northwest Rangers Warren - Mountie who finds Fowler's bodyuncredited
1943 Flight for Freedom Flight Instructoruncredited
He Hired the Boss Jordan
Bombardier Soldieruncredited
Du Barry Was a Lady Footmanuncredited
Good Luck, Mr. Yates Adjutantuncredited
Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event George Sharpe
Salute to the Marines Sergeantuncredited
The Fallen Sparrow Otto Skaas
The Seventh Victim Gregory Ward
There's Something About a Soldier Lt. Martin
1944 The Racket Man "Irish" Duffy
The Story of Dr. Wassell Aide to Admiral Hart in Surabaya
Song of the Open Road John Moranuncredited
Mr. Winkle Goes to War Ranger Officeruncredited
The Seventh Cross Truck Driveruncredited
I Love a Soldier Johnuncredited
Strange Affair Detective Careyuncredited
They Live in Fear Instructoruncredited
Practically Yours Film-Cutteruncredited
1945 Objective, Burma! Captain Hennesseyuncredited
Blood on the Sun Johnny Clarkeuncredited
Counter-Attack Russian Lieutenantuncredited
The Lady Confesses Larry Craig
The Blonde from BrooklynDischarging Lieutenantuncredited
You Came Along Chaplainuncredited
Apology for Murder Kenny Blake
You Came Along Chaplainuncredited
1946 Murder Is My Business Michael Shayne
Johnny Comes Flying Home Engineeruncredited
The Blue Dahlia George Copeland
Larceny in Her Heart Michael Shayne
Blonde for a Day
1947 The Guilt of Janet Ames Frank Merinouncredited
Three on a Ticket Michael Shayne
Too Many Winners
Railroaded! Police Sgt. Mickey Ferguson
Bury Me Dead Michael Dunn
1948 Reaching from Heaven Bill Starling
Money Madness Steve Clark / Freddie Howard
The Counterfeiters Phillip Drake
1949 Tokyo Joe Provost Marshal Majoruncredited
1950 Second Chance Dr. Emory
The Flying Missile Major Wilson
1951 Target Unknown Coloneluncredited
The Last Outpost Lt. Fenton
Danger Zone Dennis O'Brien
Go for Broke! Chaplainuncredited
Roaring City Denny O'Brien
Pier 23 Dennis O'Brien
Home Town Story Bob MacFarlanduncredited
Savage Drums Bill Fentonuncredited
Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell Policemanuncredited
Lost Continent Robert Phillips
Callaway Went Thataway Mr. Adkins, Attorneyuncredited
Overland Telegraph Brad Roberts
1952 Phone Call from a Stranger Dr. Tim Brooks
Bugles in the Afternoon Lt. Cookeuncredited
Wild Stallion Capt. Wilmurt
Washington Story Chaplainuncredited
Night Without Sleep John Harkness
The Member of the Wedding Ministeruncredited
1953 The Mississippi Gambler Kennerlyuncredited
225,000 Mile Proving Ground, 1953Narrator/reporter E.D. Gillespieproduced by Dudley Pictures for American Association of Railroads
1955 Hell's Horizon Al Trask
1956 The Revolt of Mamie Stover San Francisco Policemanuncredited
The Mole People Dr. Jud Bellamin
1957 Night Passage Jeff Kurth
1965 The Human Duplicators Austin Welles

Television credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1950 The Silver Theatre Harry Hamiltonepisode: "Lady with Ideas"
1951 The Bigelow Theatre Harry Hamiltonepisode: "Lady with Ideas"
1952 Dangerous Assignment various rolesepisode: "The Piece of String Story"
episode: "The Manger Story"
episode: "The Assassin Ring Story"
Hopalong Cassidy Hank Scofieldepisode: "The Feud"
1952–1953 Racket Squad Narrator33 episodes
1953 Ford Theatre Sheriff Burnsepisode: "The Trestle"
Big Town Carl Kesten / Rodney Mitchellepisode: "The Eliminator"
Chevron Theatre episode: "The Worthless Thing"
The Lone Ranger Rev. Randy Robertsepisode: "The Godless Men"
Topper Ed Merrillepisode: "The Spinster"
Adventures of Superman Dan Graysonepisode: "The Big Squeeze"
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars John Harrisepisode: "Vacation for Ginny"
episode: "Guardian of the Clock"
The Loretta Young Show writer
episode: "The Bronte Story"
1953–1954 Fireside Theatre various rolesepisode: "The Traitor"
episode: "Fight Night"
1953–1956 Four Star Playhouse various roles6 episodes
Letter to Loretta various roles7 episodes
1954 City Detective Philip Merriamepisode: "The Blonde Orchid"
WaterfrontRoy Martinepisode: "Backwash"
The Lineup Charles Lanskiepisode: "Cop Shooting"
Studio 57 Charles Craneepisode: "Trap Mates"
The Public DefenderEd McGrathepisode: "Think No Evil"
Gil Bowmanepisode: "Lost Cause"
Lux Video Theatre Georgeepisode: "Call Me Mrs."
1954–1956 Cavalcade of America various rolesepisode: "The Paper Sword"
episode: "A Time for Courage"
episode: "The Boy Who Walked to America"
1955Indian AmericanBrother DavidTV movie
The Public DefenderEd McGrathepisode: "A Knowledge of Astronomy"
Medic Col. Will Robertsepisode: "The World So High"
Crossroads Rev. Clifton R. Pondepisode: "With All My Love"
Science Fiction Theatre Dr. Guy Stantonepisode: "Conversation with an Ape"
The Millionaire Dr. Porterepisode: "The Walter Carter Story"
The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse Jeffepisode: "Stake My Life"
The Touch of SteelCol. LanderTV movie
Climax! episode: "The Leaf Out of the Book"
Lassie Mr. Saundersepisode: "The Well"
1956Climax!episode: "Savage Portrait"
Ford TheatreMarshal Fergusonepisode: "The Silent Strangers"
Lux Video TheatreLarryepisode: "The Unfaithful"
My Friend FlickaSimmonsepisode: "One Man's Horse"
episode: "Night Rider"
G.E. Summer Originals Mike Herculesepisode: "Alias Mike Hercules" (unsold pilot)
Matinee Theatre episode: "The 25th Hour"
Celebrity Playhouse episode: "Home Is the Soldier"
1957Meet McGrawClay Farrellepisode: "Border City"
Tales of Wells Fargo Jesse James episode: "Jesse James"
1957–1963 Leave It to Beaver Ward Cleavermain role; 234 episodes
directed 23 episodes (1960–63)
writer of 1 episode (1959)
1964 Wagon Train Jed Halickepisode: "The Pearlie Garnet Story"
1966LassieJim / Mr. Saundersepisode: "Cradle of the Deep"
The Virginian Maguireepisode: "Girl on the Glass Mountain"
Petticoat Junction Ronnie Beckmanepisode: "Every Bachelor Should Have a Family"
1967Mr. Donald Elliottepisode: "With This Gown I Thee Wed"
episode: "Meet the In-Laws"
1968The VirginianMaj. James Carltonepisode: "Nora"
Charles Martinepisode: "With Help from Ulysses"
Mannix Frank Abbottepisode: "To the Swiftest, Death"
1970Hammondepisode: "The Mouse That Died"
Mr. Calderepisode: "War of Nerves"
Medical Center Dr. Simpsonepisode: "Death Grip"
Marcus Welby, M.D. Jim Wagnerepisode: "The Merely Syndrome"
1971 The Most Deadly Game Dr. Dominickepisode: "The Classic Burial Position"

References

  1. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
  2. "Today's Birthdays". The Capital Times. February 16, 2002. p. 13. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  3. "Hugh Beaumont", filmography, catalog of the American Film Institute (AFI), Los Angeles, California. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  4. "Google News Archive". Lawrence Journal World 2/9/1937.
  5. "Remembering Some Famous Chattanoogans". chattanoogan.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  6. Murray, Noel (June 9, 2011). "Leave It To Beaver, "The Last Day Of School"". The A.V. Club. G/O Media. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. Weiner, Robert G.; Barba, Shelley E. (March 4, 2011). In the Peanut Gallery with Mystery Science Theater 3000: Essays on Film, Fandom, Technology and the Culture of Riffing. McFarland. pp. 148–. ISBN   978-0-7864-8572-7.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Applebaum, Irwyn (1998). The World According to Beaver. Simon & Schuster. pp. 18, 312. ISBN   978-1-57500-052-7.
  9. "TV Guide's '50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time'". TVWeek. Sherman Oaks, California: Dexter Canfield Media, Inc. January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  10. "Minnesota, Brown County, Obituaries, 1855-1990", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-B35S-3SBY?cc=4328761 : 18 July 2022), > image 1 of 1.
  11. Mathers, Jerry (1998). ...And Jerry Mathers as The Beaver. New York City: Berkley Boulevard Books. ISBN   0425163709.)
  12. 1 2 "Hugh Beaumont, Actor Dies". The New York Times . UPI. May 16, 1982. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  13. "News Briefs". The Daily Reporter. Indiana, Greenfield. International News Service. April 14, 1941. p. 4. Retrieved October 29, 2016 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984", Kathryn E. [Hohn] from Eugene H. Beaumont, May 1974, Los Angeles, California; Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. FamilySearch, archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  15. "HUGH BEAUMONT, ACTOR, DIES". New York Times. May 16, 1982. p. Section 1, page 44. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  16. Mathers, Jerry (February 14, 2016). "My wonderful friend and mentor, Hugh Beaumont" . Retrieved September 23, 2020. Hugh Beaumont, because of his religious views as an ordained Methodist minister, was a conscientious objector. However, he did serve in WW II as an army medic.

Further reading