What was Ward Cleaver's occupation - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-23-2023, 07:10 PM

We know that he worked in an office but little was ever revealed beyond that. Although he had many scenes with his coworker Fred Rutherford.

In the Still the Beaver reunion film, Beaver goes to Fred Rutherford for a job and gets it. But he asks Fred if he got the job on his own merits, or if it was because Ward had been Fred’s top employee. So Ward worked for Fred.

cd637299 · 07-24-2023, 07:56 AM

According to a book I once had—I forget the title, but it was an “encyclopedia” of all TV shows that were viewed nationwide—it listed Ward as an accountant. Where that info came from, I don’t know.

cd

biffbronson · 07-24-2023, 08:18 AM

Look at how many previous threads have considered Ward's occupation...!! And likely even more:

https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer

stevea · 07-24-2023, 09:25 AM

He had an engineering background, which was used by the SeaBees during WW 2. He relates this to Beaver in an early episode.

In one episode he refers to marketing surveys, talking to June.

AFAIK no episode mentions accountant.

ThisLittlePiggy · 07-24-2023, 01:04 PM

Ward Cleaver might have been a research engineer. They help develop products.

vitoscotti · 07-24-2023, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

We know that he worked in an office but little was ever revealed beyond that. Although he had many scenes with his coworker Fred Rutherford.

In the Still the Beaver reunion film, Beaver goes to Fred Rutherford for a job and gets it. But he asks Fred if he got the job on his own merits, or if it was because Ward had been Fred’s top employee. So Ward worked for Fred.

I personally don't place any significance on any background information given on reboots, or reunions. It has to be from the original series, or nothing.

cd637299 · 07-27-2023, 05:45 PM

^ Some reunion movies may wish to “tie up loose ends” and answer trivia questions about an original series—but yes, we aren’t to put stock in them!

cd

Howard · 08-06-2023, 06:50 PM

I believe he was an insurance salesman in the office with Fred Rutherford but not 100 per cent sure.

MISST3 · 08-09-2023, 10:27 PM

I've often heard the writers of the show wanted the characters to be relatable to everybody, so certain details were deliberately left vague and unclear, like Ward's occupation and particularly the state they lived in. We DO know that Ward was a 1950's white-collar, briefcase carrying worker. Ward wore a business suit, worked in an office, worked on business deals, ie, the "Thompson Deal", and had a secretary named Grace, left home early in the morning and returned home, in the early evening. Rarely, worked on the weekends, because on Saturday he usually got in a round of golf, at the Country Club. Occasionally, he did work on weekends, much to his dismay, and frequently, mentioned having a "Hard Day at Work". Ward was handy around the house, esp. fixing small appliances. He grew up on a farm and his father was a strict disciplinarian, who did not hesitate to take Ward to the "Wood Shed".

MISST3 · 08-09-2023, 11:15 PM

In addition, Ward was comfortable in being the Head of the household, was the sole bread winner for the family. He liked discussing problems in private, with June, (not in front of the boys), and he usually had the last say, with decisions. He helped June with household chores, ie, drying dishes. Even though, June was a housewife and home all day, Ward never had a problem with her having a housekeeper, from time to time, which was progressive thinking on his part, in the 1950's.

07-23-2023, 07:10 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,334	What was Ward Cleaver's occupation We know that he worked in an office but little was ever revealed beyond that. Although he had many scenes with his coworker Fred Rutherford. In the Still the Beaver reunion film, Beaver goes to Fred Rutherford for a job and gets it. But he asks Fred if he got the job on his own merits, or if it was because Ward had been Fred’s top employee. So Ward worked for Fred.

07-24-2023, 07:56 AM	#2
cd637299 cd637299 Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 14, 2022 Location: South Florida Posts: 849	According to a book I once had—I forget the title, but it was an “encyclopedia” of all TV shows that were viewed nationwide—it listed Ward as an accountant. Where that info came from, I don’t know. cd

07-24-2023, 08:18 AM	#3
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	Look at how many previous threads have considered Ward's occupation...!! And likely even more: https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...light=engineer

07-24-2023, 09:25 AM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,729	He had an engineering background, which was used by the SeaBees during WW 2. He relates this to Beaver in an early episode. In one episode he refers to marketing surveys, talking to June. AFAIK no episode mentions accountant.

07-24-2023, 01:04 PM	#5
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 84,661	Ward Cleaver might have been a research engineer. They help develop products.

07-27-2023, 05:45 PM	#7
cd637299 cd637299 Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 14, 2022 Location: South Florida Posts: 849	^ Some reunion movies may wish to “tie up loose ends” and answer trivia questions about an original series—but yes, we aren’t to put stock in them! cd

08-06-2023, 06:50 PM	#8
Howard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 23, 2003 Posts: 250	I believe he was an insurance salesman in the office with Fred Rutherford but not 100 per cent sure.

08-09-2023, 10:27 PM	#9
MISST3 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Posts: 32,762	I've often heard the writers of the show wanted the characters to be relatable to everybody, so certain details were deliberately left vague and unclear, like Ward's occupation and particularly the state they lived in. We DO know that Ward was a 1950's white-collar, briefcase carrying worker. Ward wore a business suit, worked in an office, worked on business deals, ie, the "Thompson Deal", and had a secretary named Grace, left home early in the morning and returned home, in the early evening. Rarely, worked on the weekends, because on Saturday he usually got in a round of golf, at the Country Club. Occasionally, he did work on weekends, much to his dismay, and frequently, mentioned having a "Hard Day at Work". Ward was handy around the house, esp. fixing small appliances. He grew up on a farm and his father was a strict disciplinarian, who did not hesitate to take Ward to the "Wood Shed".

08-09-2023, 11:15 PM	#10
MISST3 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Posts: 32,762	In addition, Ward was comfortable in being the Head of the household, was the sole bread winner for the family. He liked discussing problems in private, with June, (not in front of the boys), and he usually had the last say, with decisions. He helped June with household chores, ie, drying dishes. Even though, June was a housewife and home all day, Ward never had a problem with her having a housekeeper, from time to time, which was progressive thinking on his part, in the 1950's.