Inspired by the works of his Academy Award-winning father, Ed Begley Jr. 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.

Currently, he is the co-star of Discovery Channel’s Planet Green series Living with Ed, a look at the day-to-day realities of “living green” with his not-so-environmentalist wife, Rachelle Carson.

Recent film credits include Pineapple Express and A Mighty Wind, a follow-up to the American Comedy Award-winning film Best in Show, with Christopher Guest, Catherine O’ Hara, and Parker Posey. His other feature film appearances include Batman Forever, Greedy, The Accidental Tourist, She-Devil, and The In-Laws.

On television, Begley has been seen in recurring roles on Veronica Mars, Arrested Development, Jack & Bobby, Six Feet Under, and 7th Heaven. He also guest starred in such series as The West Wing, The Practice, The Drew Carey Show, Touched by an Angel, and Providence. Among his motion pictures for television credits are Homicide: The Movie, Not in This Town, World War II: When Lions Roared, Running Mates, Cooperstown, and Story Lady.

Turning up at Hollywood events on his bicycle, Begley has been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years. He has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He still serves on those Boards, as well as those of the Thoreau Institute, the Earth Communications Office, Tree People, and Friends of the Earth, among many others.

His work in the environmental community has earned him a number of awards from some of the most prestigious environmental groups in the nation, including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay, and the Santa Monica Baykeeper.

He currently lives near Los Angeles in a self-sufficient home powered by solar energy.