About
"The advice I give actors and actresses when they ask me, 'What do you think? Should I go in the business?' I always tell them, 'Absolutely not.' If you have to ask that question, the answer is no."
In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Ed Begley, Jr. talks about being cast on St. Elsewhere, and recalls his father, Ed Begley, Sr. allowing him to make the choice to be an actor. He recounts realizing he had a flair for comedy at a young age, as well as his very first acting job on My Three Sons. Begley describes his early standup act with a young Michael Richards, and expounds on his philosophy of comedy, and on his style. He touches on his favorite comedians, as well as the importance of managers and agents in a comedian’s career. He outlines his long-standing environmental advocacy, and offers advice to aspiring comedians. Jenni Matz and Bill Dana conducted the interview on May 31, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Ed Begley, Jr. on being cast on St. Elsewhere
Ed Begley, Jr. on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy
Ed Begley, Jr. on his environmental advocacy
Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers
Ed Begley, Jr. on the creative team behind St. Elsewhere
Ed Begley, Jr. on using television and movies for social commentary or political messages, and on the healing power of comedy
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On starring on St. Elsewhere, and on his father's stance on his acting career; on appearing in films for director Christopher Guest; on his first acting job, on My Three Sons
On deciding he wanted to be a comedic actor, and that he had the ability to make people laugh; on his early stand-up act with Michael Richards, and on his early comedic style; on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy
On the "rules" of comedy, and on then-favorite comedians, and managers of comedians; on a performer or actor controlling his image or how he's seen by the public, and on improving as an actor or comedian; on his environmental advocacy
On actors and performers using their fame to advocate political causes, and how he handles that responsibility for his environmental advocacy; on advice for aspiring performers; on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show
Shows
Maude
Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show
My Three Sons
Ed Begley, Jr. on his first acting job, on My Three Sons
St. Elsewhere
Ed Begley, Jr. on cast members from The Steve Allen Show guest-starring on St. Elsewhere
Ed Begley, Jr. on being cast on St. Elsewhere
Ed Begley, Jr. on the creative team behind St. Elsewhere
Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)
Ed Begley, Jr. on cast members from The Steve Allen Show guest-starring on St. Elsewhere
Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show
Topics
Advice
Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Ed Begley, Jr. on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy
Pivotal Career Moments
Ed Begley, Jr. on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy
Television Industry
Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers
Professions
Actor
Ed Begley, Jr. on a performer or actor controlling his image or how he's seen by the public, and on improving as an actor or comedian
Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers
Comedian
Ed Begley, Jr. on the "rules" of comedy, and on then-favorite comedians, and managers of comedians
Performers
Ed Begley, Jr. on the "rules" of comedy, and on then-favorite comedians, and managers of comedians
Ed Begley, Jr. on a performer or actor controlling his image or how he's seen by the public, and on improving as an actor or comedian
Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers
Genres
Comedy Series
Ed Begley, Jr. on his first acting job, on My Three Sons
Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show
Medical Dramas
Ed Begley, Jr. on starring on St. Elsewhere
Talk Shows
Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show
People
Ed Begley
Ed Begley, Jr. on his father, Ed Begley, and on deciding to get into acting
Christopher Guest
Ed Begley, Jr. on appearing in films for director Christopher Guest
Michael Richards
Ed Begley, Jr. on his early stand-up act with Michael Richards, and on his early comedic style