Printable Biography of Ed Begley Jr.

When it comes to taking personal responsibility for the environment, few individuals can match the record of actor and activist Ed Begley, Jr. Known for turning up at Hollywood events on his bicycle, he has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He serves on the boards of organizations including the Thoreau Institute, the Earth Communications Office, Tree People and Friends of the Earth. His work has earned awards from numerous environmental groups including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay, the Santa Monica Baykeeper and the Southern California Gas Company. Currently, he is the co-star of the hit HGTV series Living with Ed, a look at the day-to-day realities of living green with his not so environmentalist wife Rachelle Carson. The series has just finished airing its 2nd season. In June 2008, the series will move to a new home at Discovery's new network Planet Green. His new book Living Like Ed is currently available nationally from Clarkson Potter/Random House, and he continues to tour the country giving speeches about his sustainable living practices.

Inspired by the works of his Academy Award-winning father, Begley became an actor. He first came to audiences' attention for his portrayal of Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the long-running hit television series St. Elsewhere, for which he received six Emmy nominations. Since then, Begley has moved easily between feature films, television and theatre projects. Begley has appeared in A Mighty Wind, the follow-up to the American Comedy Award-winning film Best In Show starring Christopher Guest, Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. He can also be seen in the most recent Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration. Other feature film credits include Batman Forever, The Accidental Tourist and The Inlaws. In 2008, Begley will have supporting roles in the theatrical comedy Pineapple Express starring Seth Rogan, and the HBO feature Recount starring Kevin Spacey. He is also wrapping on a new Woody Allen comedy in NYC.

On television, Begley has had recurring roles on Six Feet Under and Arrested Development. He has also guest starred on such series as The West Wing and The Practice, in addition to David E. Kelley's latest show Boston Legal. Most recently, Begley was featured in Veronica Mars and CSI: Miami.

Begley also starred in the West Coast premiere of David Mamet's Cryptogram at the Geffen Playhouse, in a role that he first performed in Boston and then in New York. He also starred in Mamet's production of Romance at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

This talented actor has also directed several episodes of the hit TV series NYPD Blue as well as a stage play that he wrote called Cesar and Ruben that won a Nos Otros Award and four Valley Theater League awards.

Begley lives in Studio City, CA in a small, energy efficient home with his wife and co-star Rachelle