<Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Kathryn Adams Doty (m . 1942; div. 1974) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> Eugene Hugh Beaumont (February 16, 1909--May 14, 1982) was an American actor and television director . He was also licensed to preach by the Methodist church . Beaumont is best known for his portrayal of Ward Cleaver on the television series Leave It to Beaver, originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963 . He had earlier played the role of the private detective Michael Shayne in a series of films in the 1940s . </P> <P> Beaumont was born in Lawrence, Kansas . His parents were Ethel Adaline Whitney and Edward H. Beaumont, a traveling salesman whose profession kept the family on the move . After graduating from Baylor School, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he attended the University of Chattanooga, where he played football . He later studied at the University of Southern California and graduated with a Master of Theology degree in 1946 . </P>

Who played the father in leave it to beaver