Hugh Beaumont, as Ward Cleaver, brought a warmth and wisdom to the show rarely seen afterwards. You always knew in the back of your mind Ward would have made a great teacher. Perhaps Hugh's background as an ordained Methodist minister may have influenced the way he played Ward.

LITB is fine vintage nostalgia, and part of what gave the show such an endearing quality was the way Hugh played Ward, amongst his other contributions.

I, for one, have always considered Hugh Beaumont's "Ward Cleaver" character to be the best TV father of all time.

Granted, his part was very, very well written for him, but he pulled it off as though he actually experienced all the things he talked about... whenever I hear him telling Beaver or Wally (or even June) a story about what it was like for him growing up, or his days in the Navy, it was just so believable, the way he did it.

I also always appreciated the playful comments between Ward and June, as they read the evening paper or washed the dishes together. And June could not only take it, she could dish it out as well.

Those of us who were fortunate enough to have a Dad we could look up to as a "Superman", able to solve any problem, able to build anything, fix any gadget, etc. can appreciate the way Ward handled and treated the boys and their problems... the boys never thought that any problem was too much for their Dad to solve... (even though they didn't always go to him as they should have).

But yes, I consider Beaumont to be the best TV dad ever, as an actor. My choice for 2nd best would be Robert Reed as Mike Brady (esp the way he acted on screen when he dispensed advice to his children...those scenes were so real).

I didn't found out until late in Beaumont's life that he was an ordained minister... I think you're right in your belief that he brought some of that wisdom and experience into the way he played Ward Cleaver. He was (for the most part, esp after season 1, when he blew his top a few times) a very gentle, yet strong father figure.

And you can tell how much Wally and Beaver loved and respected Ward because they never wanted to feel like they disappointed him in any way.
They'd rather have "croaked" than think they somehow let their Dad down... or their Mom.

I, for one, have always considered Hugh Beaumont's "Ward Cleaver" character to be the best TV father of all time.

Granted, his part was very, very well written for him, but he pulled it off as though he actually experienced all the things he talked about... whenever I hear him telling Beaver or Wally (or even June) a story about what it was like for him growing up, or his days in the Navy, it was just so believable, the way he did it.

I also always appreciated the playful comments between Ward and June, as they read the evening paper or washed the dishes together. And June could not only take it, she could dish it out as well.

Those of us who were fortunate enough to have a Dad we could look up to as a "Superman", able to solve any problem, able to build anything, fix any gadget, etc. can appreciate the way Ward handled and treated the boys and their problems... the boys never thought that any problem was too much for their Dad to solve... (even though they didn't always go to him as they should have).

But yes, I consider Beaumont to be the best TV dad ever, as an actor. My choice for 2nd best would be Robert Reed as Mike Brady (esp the way he acted on screen when he dispensed advice to his children...those scenes were so real).

I didn't found out until late in Beaumont's life that he was an ordained minister... I think you're right in your belief that he brought some of that wisdom and experience into the way he played Ward Cleaver. He was (for the most part, esp after season 1, when he blew his top a few times) a very gentle, yet strong father figure.

And you can tell how much Wally and Beaver loved and respected Ward because they never wanted to feel like they disappointed him in any way.
They'd rather have "croaked" than think they somehow let their Dad down... or their Mom.

My feelings exactly. I like your post. :)

My feelings exactly. I like your post. :)

Thanks, I appreciate that :) :wave:

Yep, I too think Hugh Beaumont is the best TV dad ever. From the same era, Robert Young from Father Knows Best is another example, but he came across as a little rough and intimidating at times. Sometimes he was downright scary. Hugh Beaumont had it balanced perfectly, he was a gentle father but also knew how to lay down the law when it was necessary.

About 10 years before he found fame in Leave It To Beaver, Hugh Beaumont starred in a series of 5 "B" pictures as the detective character Michael Shayne. These films, made for ultra low budget studio PRC, are your standard B film detective fare, but it's interesting to see Mr. Beaumont in a totally different role as a detective. He looks pretty much the same like he does in LITB, except he looks a little younger and has darker hair. The best film in this series is THREE ON A TICKET, LARCENY IN HER HEART aint a bad one either.

I just love Hugh Beaumont and his portrayal of Ward Cleaver. My father was adopted and his birth father was the spitting image of Hugh Beaumont! Sadly my paternal grandfather passed away before I was born so its nice to watch Hugh on LITB as it kind of reminds me of the grandfather I never knew.

I don't know much about Hugh Beaumont, but I was just reading his IMDB page and it sounds like he was quite an accomplished actor. He was absolutely wonderful in LITB. I always thought that Ward was just a straight-foreword father who loved his wife and kids. However in watching a string of endless LITB episodes recently, I've noticed how comedic he was as well. I think that's why I love LITB so much. So many of those old series just have the mom and dad and kids doing their day to day thing. You never really get to see a different side to the parents.

I am going to see if any of his movies are on Netflix and check them out. I'll always think of him as Ward Cleaver but it would be nice to see his other work as well.

I dont think there is anything more I can add to this. Hugh Beaumont played the role so well he made you feel like he could be your dad.

One of the best dad's on tv! There is a nice tribute to Ward Clever on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYvlvQ5KGuA

I for one watch LITB because of Hugh Beaumont....Barbara. Ward Cleaver was the father I have always wanted and never even came close to having....in fact my dad was the total opposite and one to be feared and that's why I find it silly that Wally and Beaver feared Ward so much at times. Ward was the ideal husband and father for anyone and yes....he was the best TV dad ever and no one could ever come close to competeing with him. I felt he really got the shaft when he was only ranked #28 in the best fathers.....what a shame.

I also agree with the poster that wrote that him being an ordained minister helped him bring Ward out the way he did. When watching the pilot on my DVD's and seeing the first guy play Ward, I didn't feel like I was watching LITB at all. No offense to the other actor, but he was not Ward at all and didn't look right with Barbara. That's another thing, IMO, I feel that Hugh and Barbara had such an amazing chemistry....so much more then any two actors not married to each other in real life. Their scenes together are so real the way they flirted with each other with their banter, they way Ward would help her around the house even though it was considered "women's work". I loved the way he reassured her when she worried about the boys, I thought it was very considerate of him to take her out on the town...just the two of them so they could be man and wife instead of just mom and dad. All these two people had to do was look at each other and they made you believe they were Ward and June....the real deal and very much in love.

I saw a few of Hugh's movies and came to love him as Hugh and not just Ward because I got to see him in a different character and again he brought that charater out so real like. To put it plainly, I just can't get enough of him, both from the father figure side and the charming manly side that a true woman can appreciate.

It's hard to come up with a better male role model on TV than Ward Cleaver
(Hugh Beaumont). He was, in my opinion, the best father figure on the tube.

Couldn't agree more with the posts. I loved HB in the role. He was the best tv dad in my opinion. He played it perfectly.

Hugh Beaumonts Ward Cleaver was the best TV Dad for sure. And he reminded me of my own Dad. Much like the Beaver my Dad was my hero. The one who could solve any problem. The one who could fix anything. And much like Ward my Dad was a pretty avid reader and owned many books. And its interesting to read how many of you feel that Hugh's experience as a minister colored his portrayal of Ward. I know my Dad was the father that he was in large part to his deep Christian faith so there is another parallel with Ward. I think TV could use a character like Ward Cleaver right about now!

On top of all the other good stuff written about Beaumont here (which I agree with!), Hugh was a pretty decent director! Every time I watch an episode he directed; I've noticed the cool elements he added to the "look" of the show. Hugh Beaumont, on the episodes of "Leave it to Beaver" he directed, would ALWAYS show the Cleaver house or various Mayfield locales from different angles then you'd typically see from other directors. Sure, it might be June sitting on the stair-case or something small like that...But, it was always cool to see other shots of the Cleaver's world.

On top of all the other good stuff written about Beaumont here (which I agree with!), Hugh was a pretty decent director! Every time I watch an episode he directed; I've noticed the cool elements he added to the "look" of the show. Hugh Beaumont, on the episodes of "Leave it to Beaver" he directed, would ALWAYS show the Cleaver house or various Mayfield locales from different angles then you'd typically see from other directors. Sure, it might be June sitting on the stair-case or something small like that...But, it was always cool to see other shots of the Cleaver's world.
I like directors who pay attention to small details like that. And it doesn't surprise me at all that Hugh was that kind of director.