Hugh Beaumont Biography: Hello Readers, Whenever someone says “Ward Cleaver,” most of us picture the same calm, cardigan-wearing dad who solved every problem with a gentle talk in the den. That was Hugh Beaumont – the actor who made perfect fatherhood look easy for six seasons on Leave It to Beaver.
A preacher’s son turned Hollywood leading man, Hugh spent his life balancing fame, family, and faith until he stepped away from the spotlight to grow Christmas trees in Minnesota. He passed away in 1982, but his gentle legacy still feels brand new. Here’s his story, updated for 2025, told simply and warmly – the way he would have liked it.
Hugh Beaumont Wiki / Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eugene Hugh Beaumont |
| Date of Birth | February 16, 1909 |
| Date of Death | May 14, 1982 (aged 73) |
| Age at Death | 73 years old |
| Birthplace | Lawrence, Kansas, USA |
| Height | 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) |
| Occupation | Actor, Television Director, Methodist Minister |
| Education | University of Chattanooga; USC (Master’s in Theology) |
| Famous Role | Ward Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963) |
| Net Worth at Death (1982) | Approx. $1–2 million (2025 equivalent ≈ $5–$10 million) |
| Family | Wife: Kathryn Adams Doty (m. 1941–1974, div.); Children: Hunter, Kristan, Mark |
Net Worth and Income Sources
When Hugh passed in 1982, his estate was valued between $1 million and $2 million in 1980s dollars – roughly $5–$10 million in 2025 money. Most came from smart residuals: Leave It to Beaver aired in reruns for decades, and he earned director fees on many episodes. Earlier film contracts with Universal and Warner Bros, plus guest spots on Dragnet, Wagon Train, and Petticoat Junction, added steady checks. Later in life he lived simply on his Minnesota Christmas-tree farm, so the money quietly grew through royalties long after he left Hollywood.
Early Life
Hugh was born in 1909 in Lawrence, Kansas, to a traveling salesman dad and a mom who valued education. The family moved often, finally landing in Tennessee, where Hugh grew up a quiet, book-loving boy who loved football and dreamed of preaching. Church was the center of life – little Hugh sang in the choir and listened to sermons every Sunday. Those gentle manners and thoughtful pauses you saw in Ward Cleaver? They started on a Kansas front porch listening to his grandfather tell stories.
Education
Hugh earned a football scholarship to the University of Chattanooga, then transferred to the University of Southern California, where he studied theology and graduated with a Master’s degree. He was actually an ordained Methodist minister and preached part-time even during his acting years. Friends said he could have been a full-time pastor if Hollywood hadn’t called first.
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Family
Hugh married actress and writer Kathryn Adams Doty in 1941. They had three children – sons Hunter and Mark, and daughter Kristan. The couple divorced amicably in 1974 after 33 years. Hugh was known as a hands-on dad who coached Little League and taught Sunday school, living the values he played on TV. After retirement he moved to Minnesota to be near his son Hunter’s family and help on the Christmas-tree farm.
Age
Hugh Beaumont lived to 73 years old, passing peacefully on May 14, 1982 while visiting his son in Munich, Germany.
Physical Stats
He stood a solid 6 feet (183 cm), with a lean, athletic build from college football days. Dark hair that went distinguished gray, kind blue-gray eyes, and that calm, reassuring voice made him the perfect 1950s dad next door.
Career Presence
Hugh acted in more than 150 movies and TV shows. Early roles were tough guys and detectives in 1940s film noir (The Blue Dahlia, Railroaded!). When television arrived, he became one of its busiest actors – starring in series, directing episodes, and finally landing the role that defined him: Ward Cleaver. He appeared in all 234 episodes of Leave It to Beaver and directed over 20 of them. After the show ended in 1963, he chose family over fame, retiring to Minnesota to grow Christmas trees and occasionally preach.
Recent Updates
Since Hugh passed in 1982, “recent” means the ongoing love for his work. In 2025, Leave It to Beaver still streams daily on multiple platforms, earning new generations of fans. Shout! Factory released a complete Blu-ray set in 2024 that sold strongly, and Ward Cleaver memes and GIFs remain internet favorites. His Christmas-tree farm in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is now run by grandchildren who keep the family tradition alive.
Public Image and Its Effect on His Finances
Hugh was the original “wholesome dad” – polite, soft-spoken, and genuinely kind. That image meant fewer movie-star excesses but lifelong rerun income. Because Ward Cleaver never smoked, swore, or chased scandals, the show stayed family-friendly forever, guaranteeing royalties that supported him comfortably in retirement and continue for his heirs today.
House
After leaving Hollywood, Hugh bought a modest farmhouse on 40 acres near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He and his family planted thousands of Christmas trees, living simply among the pines he loved. The property is still owned by the Beaumont family.
Movies and TV Shows (Selected)
- Railroaded! (1947)
- The Blue Dahlia (1946)
- Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963) – Ward Cleaver, 234 episodes
- The Mole People (1956)
- Directed 23 episodes of Leave It to Beaver
- Guest roles on Wagon Train, Perry Mason, Petticoat Junction, Mannix
Conclusion
Hugh Beaumont gave the world the father many wished they had – patient, wise, and always ready with a hug. Off-screen he lived the same values: raising three kids, preaching when asked, and trading fame for a quiet life among Christmas trees. More than forty years after his passing, children still fall asleep to Ward Cleaver’s calm voice, proving some stars never really fade – they just become part of the family.
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FAQs
How old would Hugh Beaumont be in 2025?
He would have turned 116 (born 1909).
When did Hugh Beaumont pass away?
May 14, 1982, at age 73.
How tall was Hugh Beaumont?
6 feet 0 inches (183 cm).
Was Hugh Beaumont really a minister?
Yes – he was an ordained Methodist minister and preached throughout his life.
How much was Hugh Beaumont worth when he died?
About $1–2 million in 1982 dollars (roughly $5–$10 million today.
Where is Hugh Beaumont buried?
His ashes were scattered on the family Christmas-tree farm in Minnesota.
