The son of character actor Ed Begley, Sr., he began acting while still a teenager, appearing on the TV series My Three Sons when he was 17. Begley performed as a stand-up comic at colleges and nightclubs and worked briefly as a TV cameraman before landing a string of guest appearances on TV series such as Happy Days and Columbo. He debuted onscreen in Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972), going on to play small roles in a number of minor films; by the mid '70s he was getting somewhat better roles in better films. Begley became well-known in the '80s, portraying Dr. Erlich on the TV series St. Elsewhere; for his work he received an Emmy nomination. His success on TV led to much better film roles, but he has never broken through as a big-screen star.
Ed Begley Jr.
Active - 1948 - 2022 |
Born - Sep 16, 1949 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres - Comedy, Drama, Family & Personal Relationships
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- His father, character actor Ed Begley, won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 1962's Sweet Bird of Youth.
- Attended the same high school as Robert Redford, Paula Abdul, Stacy Keach and Natalie Wood.
- Made his TV debut in a 1967 episode of My Three Sons.
- Directed a 2003 episode of NYPD Blue; has also worked as an assistant cameraman and stand-up comic.
- Wrote, directed and produced Cesar and Ruben, a 2003 stage musical about farmworkers-union leader Cesar Chavez.
- Is a vegan known for his environmental activism and has been dubbed "the greenest man in Tinseltown."
- Has authored books on how to live an eco-friendly life.