Beaumont began his career in show business by perfoming in theatres, nightclubs, and on the radio in 1931. He attended the University of Chattanooga, but left when his position on the football team was changed. He later attended the University of Southern California, and graduated with a Master of Theology degree in 1946. He was visiting his son Hunter, a Psychology Professor in Munich, at the time of his sudden death.
Beaumont was an ordained minister. At one time he owned a lake house in Northern Minnesota. Ward Cleaver, Beaumont's character on Leave It to Beaver, was ranked #28 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].