Featuring You - Meet Ed Begley, Jr.

*Tell us about yourself.

My name is Ed Begley and I have been an actor since 1967, and an environmental activist since 1970. Both bring me great joy as well as great feelings of accomplishment.

*How did you get to be where you are today?

I have no delusions as to how it all happened. I won the lottery by being born Ed Begley’s son. He was an actor, so I became an actor. And that door was opened for me because of his success. I had to do the job effectively or I could not walk through that door but it was open because of my father’s name.

*Have you ever been fired?

Yes. I did a TV pilot in 1998 called Maggie Day with my friend Ann Cusack. I played her husband, but obviously I did not give them what they wanted, so they went a different way when the series got picked up.

*What are your real passions?

My twin passions are to do the best work as an actor that I can, and to protect our fragile environment with my every fiber.

*What brings you joy?

My joy is for my wife, my children and my grand children. They are the reason I strive to be a better actor, a better husband and a better father and of course a better grand father.

*What brings you peace?

This moment right now, this one. Thanks for reminding me.

*If you won the lottery, what would you do?

I would do another production of a play that I wrote about Cesar Chavez.

*What do you do to help others be their best?

I try to lead by example. People are rarely interested in what you say but are much more willing to embrace your ideology after witnessing what you do.

*How do you help yourself be the best you can be?

I’ve gotten much more forgiving about my flaws in my latter years. I do the best I can and know that that’s enough for now.

*What do you like to do in your personal life?

I’ve always had a productive vegetable garden, as well as many fruit trees. I get great pleasure out of growing my own food.

*What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

I want to see a world where my children and grand children can experience the same level of biodiversity that I experienced in my life. I can dream, can’t I?

*What is a book or two that you recommend?

The book I recommend is called This Is It by Alan Watts. That book inspires me more than any other book I have read.

*Please give us one or two shameless plugs.

Please check out my line of plant based eco-friendly cleaning and pet products, Begley’s Earth Responsible Products. You can get them at Amazon.com and Walmart.com. Also, please check me out on TV on Young Sheldon, Mr. Mayor with my friend, Ted Danson and on the upcoming reboot of the series, Queer As Folk.

*What are some of your favorites? (books, websites, etc..)

My favorite movie is Don’t Look Up. I also like the film The Power of the Dog.

*Why do you do what you do?

I am an actor because my father was an actor. If had been a plumber, I would be fitting pipe right now. I am an environmentalist because I grew up in smoggy LA. I know that we had to make a change.

*What are a few of your goals?

I want to make more people aware of how much money they can save by making the proper green choices. I want more people to see if their house qualifies for a solar rooftop, since you don’t have to buy panels anymore, you can lease them.

*What do the words "Best Ever You" mean to you?

It means making a 100% effort to do the right thing, not just for me and my family, but for the larger community in the world.

Visit/Connect with Ed: twitter: @edbegleyjr instagram: @ed_begley_jr website: begleysbest.com