Ed Begley: Movies & Box Office

Edward James Begley Sr., known as Ed Begley, was an accomplished American actor with an extensive portfolio spanning theatre, radio, film, and television works. Born on March 25, 1901, Begley was of Irish descent and spent his early years in Hartford, Connecticut. After quitting school in his fifth grade, he had a brief stint with serval jobs before he served four years in the United States Navy during World War I. Begley's acting career spanned multiple decades, beginning with Broadway and radio roles during his teenage years. His career took off with the hit musical Going Up in 1917, and he soon staked his claim in the acting world with roles in the radio shows The Fat Man, Stroke of Fate and Richard Diamond, Private Detective.

Begley cemented his legacy in the acting world with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962). His notable works also include classics such as 12 Angry Men (1957), Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), and a TV adaptation of Inherit the Wind for which he earned an Emmy nomination. At one point in his career, Begley featured in television series like Leave It to Larry and Robert Montgomery Presents. Outside of his professional life, Begley was a husband and a father of three children. On April 28, 1970, Begley passed away due to a heart attack when he was attending a party.