Book info on Hugh - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

desilu #1 · 07-26-2008, 04:08 PM

Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this info to you. The library couldn't order the book for me as they promised so I ordered it directly from the publisher myself and got it yesterday. To remind you of what I'm talking about, it's the book that Hugh's ex-wife wrote, and because it's her memoirs, there isn't much on him, but more then we knew before. I must say I have a deep respect for this woman because I didn't know what I was about to read and I was somewhat aprehensive because I didn't want to find out that he was really a jerk. However, that is not the case at all. In her dedication she wrote this:
"It was Hugh that illuminated parts of life from which childhood and adolescent years had shielded me. I honor his intelligence, his talent, and his worldly wisdom. I wanted to share some of the stories of our life together, but because he is no longer living to tell his tale, I also tried to respect and honor his desire and need for the sacredness of privacy."

I found this interesting and amusing. The director had introduced them. "Kathryn Hohn, meet your partner, Mr. Hugh Beaumont, from New Orleans, Louisiana. Hugh, meet your partner from Minnesota."

Online bios have him from Kansas! Interesting. She went onto say that she was suprised by his age and though he was handsome in a rugged sort of way, she was disappointed, and lied when she said, "Pleased to meet you".
It was weeks later that they laughed at his first thoughts that he also hid from her! "My God", he thought "A child! From where? Minnesota? That must be somewhere North of the Mason-Dixon line - The Upper Midwest. Maybe that's why she has straw in her hair."

I don't care who you are that is funny! LOL! IMO, he obviously had the sense of humor we all came to know and love him for as Ward.

she goes onto mention how they were "thrown together alot" in the first few days preparing for the radio show, appearing at dinners, screen tests, rehearsals and interviews for the press.
She says, "During that time differences began to emerge. Hugh liked ideas as I did. He liked to discuss everything from politics to religion, and in this I believe he found me a lively partner." She also writes, " During those first days, Hugh, with his archetypal fatherliness, took on the role of Father-protector. For me, a much needed and longed-for role since the illness and death of my own father."

She struggled with the decision to remain in Hollywood and work for a film career because her father's dying wish was for her to finish her education. She writes, " How I finally reached my decision is all a blur now. One voice only stands out - Hugh Beaumont's. Over Scotch on the rocks (his, of course) and a seven-up (mine, of course) he pointed out to me how rare this kind of offer was, an opportunity, he declared, the kind he'd give his eye teeth for."

I found this very interesting as she explained how unclear it was just how she and Hugh decided to marry. They both had reservations before the marriage even took place. Hugh felt he could not support a wife and possible children (knowing she wanted them badly) and still take care of his much younger sister and mother since his father abandoned him when he was a very young man. (Finding that out breaks my heart!) How ironic is it that he was "America's dad" when he didn't have a good father in real life! Very sad!
She was concerned about their age difference. She was born in 1920. He was born in 1909. But they married Easter Sunday on April 13, 1942.

"Our wedding night was much like others that I have read and heard about-mixed. Instead of rejoicing in wedded bliss, we worried about our parents."

Their first son Hunter was born on April 23, 1943. She admits that she didn't realize back then how "naive and insensitive" she was about Hugh's reluctance to become a parent and though he was less then enthusiastic, he accepted the reality with gentlemanly grace and was a very good father with him and bonding very well with him as he changed diapers and took care of him in every way.

"Hugh was gone a great deal of the time, filming the Beaver show, and it was during those days and weeks, I began to wonder what was happening - or not happening - to our relationship. separate careers, different sets of friends, different interests was the cause of the drift in spite of our mutual love for the island (their summer Minnesota home) and our children. It was many years before I began to understand the depth of father-daughter projections on both our parts, a way of relating that began when we met, and made growing out of them difficult."

While leaving their summer home in 1959, Hugh flew to California while Kathryn, the 3 kids and her mother drove across country. Two tires blew while Hunter was driving and lost control of the car. Her mother was thrown as high as the telephone lines and as far back as 20 ft. from the car. She died almost 2 days later. Everyone else was fine outside of a few minor injuries.

The last thing she mentioned about him was this, "Our empty nest brought us to the realization that we needed to bring closure the legal aspects of our relationship and move on ourselves into independent ways. We had ben more father-daughter then husband and wife.

Reading this, I realized myself that I was correct in figuring that him being absent and working on the show was a big hit for their marriage, but she never mentioned any romance and passion between them leading me to also believe that the age difference was a bigger factor then either one could have imagined. I also got the feeling that neither one got what they needed out of this marriage and that is a sad thought to know that they went through the motions for all those years. I suppose it goes to show you that when entering into marriage, it's a much more serious deal and having doubts before it even happens is not good. It sounded like this divorce was in the making for many years as I have suspected as soon as I found out that he was divorced.

Well, as I said, there wasn't as much as I had hoped about him, but still more then I knew. Glad I could share this with you all.

Waterston_Fan · 07-26-2008, 04:17 PM

Wow.... THat was interesting...

Thanks...

Too bad he didn't write a book though even after Beaver and before his stroke and heart attack.

desilu #1 · 07-26-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

Wow.... THat was interesting...

Thanks...

Too bad he didn't write a book though even after Beaver and before his stroke and heart attack.

You're very welcome. I wish he would have written a book too, but he was obviously very private and I can respect that. It does amaze me how he was able to keep his personal life out of the 'ragmags". Of course spending summes in Minnesota away from the craziness probly helped. I think if I was a famous person, especially from today, I'd find a place of solitude too.

Waterston_Fan · 07-26-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desilu #1

You're very welcome. I wish he would have written a book too, but he was obviously very private and I can respect that. It does amaze me how he was able to keep his personal life out of the 'ragmags". Of course spending summes in Minnesota away from the craziness probly helped. I think if I was a famous person, especially from today, I'd find a place of solitude too.

Yeah, I figured he was very private.

I do agree, I probably find a place to get away from everything even today.

cathyg321 · 01-01-2010, 01:23 PM

Hmmm-
thanks for posting the message. I believe I read someplace that Hugh was a minister and when I read in this forum that he had gotten divorced, and then the following speculation, I just didn't, or couldn't believe it. In fact, I refused to believe it. I knew there had to be something 'more' to this story then what everyone was assuming...

Life happens. So sad. But I'm glad it wasn't what was being "suspected" of him.

catlover79 · 01-01-2010, 02:03 PM

Thanks for sharing that info. It sounds like Mr. Beaumont had his fair share of tragedy, especially during the LITB years. I know he was an ordained Methodist minister, but I haven't been able to find out a lot about his faith aside from that.

ponytail · 01-04-2010, 06:22 AM

That was interesting. I know very little about Hugh and that is the way he probably wanted it to be.

Marvo301 · 01-05-2010, 04:10 AM

Thanks for sharing this with us desilu#1. It's interesting to learn about all the turmoil in the private family life of the man who played on of our favorite and most respected TV husband and father, Ward Cleaver.

07-26-2008, 04:08 PM	#1
desilu #1 Lucy/Desi 4-EVER Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2000 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan USA Posts: 724	Book info on Hugh Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this info to you. The library couldn't order the book for me as they promised so I ordered it directly from the publisher myself and got it yesterday. To remind you of what I'm talking about, it's the book that Hugh's ex-wife wrote, and because it's her memoirs, there isn't much on him, but more then we knew before. I must say I have a deep respect for this woman because I didn't know what I was about to read and I was somewhat aprehensive because I didn't want to find out that he was really a jerk. However, that is not the case at all. In her dedication she wrote this: "It was Hugh that illuminated parts of life from which childhood and adolescent years had shielded me. I honor his intelligence, his talent, and his worldly wisdom. I wanted to share some of the stories of our life together, but because he is no longer living to tell his tale, I also tried to respect and honor his desire and need for the sacredness of privacy." I found this interesting and amusing. The director had introduced them. "Kathryn Hohn, meet your partner, Mr. Hugh Beaumont, from New Orleans, Louisiana. Hugh, meet your partner from Minnesota." Online bios have him from Kansas! Interesting. She went onto say that she was suprised by his age and though he was handsome in a rugged sort of way, she was disappointed, and lied when she said, "Pleased to meet you". It was weeks later that they laughed at his first thoughts that he also hid from her! "My God", he thought "A child! From where? Minnesota? That must be somewhere North of the Mason-Dixon line - The Upper Midwest. Maybe that's why she has straw in her hair." I don't care who you are that is funny! LOL! IMO, he obviously had the sense of humor we all came to know and love him for as Ward. she goes onto mention how they were "thrown together alot" in the first few days preparing for the radio show, appearing at dinners, screen tests, rehearsals and interviews for the press. She says, "During that time differences began to emerge. Hugh liked ideas as I did. He liked to discuss everything from politics to religion, and in this I believe he found me a lively partner." She also writes, " During those first days, Hugh, with his archetypal fatherliness, took on the role of Father-protector. For me, a much needed and longed-for role since the illness and death of my own father." She struggled with the decision to remain in Hollywood and work for a film career because her father's dying wish was for her to finish her education. She writes, " How I finally reached my decision is all a blur now. One voice only stands out - Hugh Beaumont's. Over Scotch on the rocks (his, of course) and a seven-up (mine, of course) he pointed out to me how rare this kind of offer was, an opportunity, he declared, the kind he'd give his eye teeth for." I found this very interesting as she explained how unclear it was just how she and Hugh decided to marry. They both had reservations before the marriage even took place. Hugh felt he could not support a wife and possible children (knowing she wanted them badly) and still take care of his much younger sister and mother since his father abandoned him when he was a very young man. (Finding that out breaks my heart!) How ironic is it that he was "America's dad" when he didn't have a good father in real life! Very sad! She was concerned about their age difference. She was born in 1920. He was born in 1909. But they married Easter Sunday on April 13, 1942. "Our wedding night was much like others that I have read and heard about-mixed. Instead of rejoicing in wedded bliss, we worried about our parents." Their first son Hunter was born on April 23, 1943. She admits that she didn't realize back then how "naive and insensitive" she was about Hugh's reluctance to become a parent and though he was less then enthusiastic, he accepted the reality with gentlemanly grace and was a very good father with him and bonding very well with him as he changed diapers and took care of him in every way. "Hugh was gone a great deal of the time, filming the Beaver show, and it was during those days and weeks, I began to wonder what was happening - or not happening - to our relationship. separate careers, different sets of friends, different interests was the cause of the drift in spite of our mutual love for the island (their summer Minnesota home) and our children. It was many years before I began to understand the depth of father-daughter projections on both our parts, a way of relating that began when we met, and made growing out of them difficult." While leaving their summer home in 1959, Hugh flew to California while Kathryn, the 3 kids and her mother drove across country. Two tires blew while Hunter was driving and lost control of the car. Her mother was thrown as high as the telephone lines and as far back as 20 ft. from the car. She died almost 2 days later. Everyone else was fine outside of a few minor injuries. The last thing she mentioned about him was this, "Our empty nest brought us to the realization that we needed to bring closure the legal aspects of our relationship and move on ourselves into independent ways. We had ben more father-daughter then husband and wife. Reading this, I realized myself that I was correct in figuring that him being absent and working on the show was a big hit for their marriage, but she never mentioned any romance and passion between them leading me to also believe that the age difference was a bigger factor then either one could have imagined. I also got the feeling that neither one got what they needed out of this marriage and that is a sad thought to know that they went through the motions for all those years. I suppose it goes to show you that when entering into marriage, it's a much more serious deal and having doubts before it even happens is not good. It sounded like this divorce was in the making for many years as I have suspected as soon as I found out that he was divorced. Well, as I said, there wasn't as much as I had hoped about him, but still more then I knew. Glad I could share this with you all.
	__________________ Amy M. Weaver

01-01-2010, 02:03 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Thanks for sharing that info. It sounds like Mr. Beaumont had his fair share of tragedy, especially during the LITB years. I know he was an ordained Methodist minister, but I haven't been able to find out a lot about his faith aside from that.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-05-2010, 04:10 AM	#8
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Thanks for sharing this with us desilu#1. It's interesting to learn about all the turmoil in the private family life of the man who played on of our favorite and most respected TV husband and father, Ward Cleaver.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

07-26-2008, 04:17 PM	#2
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	Wow.... THat was interesting... Thanks... Too bad he didn't write a book though even after Beaver and before his stroke and heart attack.

01-01-2010, 01:23 PM	#5
cathyg321 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 31, 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 103	Hmmm- thanks for posting the message. I believe I read someplace that Hugh was a minister and when I read in this forum that he had gotten divorced, and then the following speculation, I just didn't, or couldn't believe it. In fact, I refused to believe it. I knew there had to be something 'more' to this story then what everyone was assuming... Life happens. So sad. But I'm glad it wasn't what was being "suspected" of him.

01-04-2010, 06:22 AM	#7
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	That was interesting. I know very little about Hugh and that is the way he probably wanted it to be.