Ed Begley, Jr. Net Worth and Successful Career

Ed Begley, Jr. is an American actor, author, and environmental activist who has a net worth of $5 million. Begley is known for a wide range of film and television projects, although he is particularly well-known for his role in St. Elsewhere, playing Dr. Victor Ehrlich. This role earned him six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award Nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. He is also known for co-hosting the reality show Living with Ed alongside his wife, Rachelle Carson.

In terms of film, Ed’s best-known roles in the 70s include Stay Hungry and Blue Collar. He then followed up in the 80s with movies like An Officer and a Gentleman, This Is Spinal Tap, The Accidental Tourist, and She-Devil. In the 90s, he booked roles in films such as Batman Forever and The Pagemaster before roles in the 2000s and 2010s like Pineapple Express, Whatever Works, “Ghostbusters,” and “CHiPS”. Begley Jr. is also known for his frequent collaboration with mockumentary filmmakers Christopher Guest and Euguene Levy, appearing in films like Best in Show, For Your Consideration, and A Mighty Wind. In 2020, he booked a role in the mockumentary Reboot Camp.

Early Life

Edward James Begley Jr. was born on September 16th, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. Acting ran in the family, as Ed’s father was none other than Oscar-winning actor Ed Begley Sr. After Begley Jr. was born, Begley Sr. remarried to a woman named Amanda Huff, whom the younger Begley believed was his biological mother until the age of 16. Later in life, he met his biological mother, Allene Jeanne Sanders.

Raised in a family with Irish roots, Ed Jr. grew up in Buffalo, New York, and attended a private Catholic school. At the age of 13, he relocated back to California with his family and attended another Catholic school in Sherman Oaks. After leaving high school, Ed Begley Jr. attended Los Angeles Valley College, a public community college in North Hollywood.

Career

Ed Begley Jr. started his acting career with several early TV roles, including guest-actor roles in the series Maude. He then booked more guest appearances in series like Room 222 before landing further roles in series like The Immortal, The Bill Cosby Show, Adam-12, The F.B.I., Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law, The Nanny and the Professor, and Mannix. Throughout the rest of the decade, more guest appearances came with series like Ironside, The Doris Day Show, Family Flight, and Love, American Style. Throughout 1973 and 1974, he booked a recurring role as Lieutenant Robert Chapman in Roll Out, appearing in a total of 12 episodes. After another guest role in Happy Days, Begley booked a recurring role in Insight. Two more guest roles followed with Medical Center and Baretta before he joined the cast of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, appearing in 13 episodes of this series throughout 1976. After an appearance in Starsky & Hutch, Ed booked recurring roles in Quincy, M.E., Wonder Woman, Fantasy Island, Columbo, and Battlestar Galactica. He ended the 70s with roles in shows like Laverne & Shirley and Charlie’s Angels.