Ed Begley, Jr. with Emerson College

Actor

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"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."

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Highlights

Ed Begley, Jr. on being cast on St. Elsewhere

01:37

Ed Begley, Jr. on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy

06:34

Ed Begley, Jr. on his environmental advocacy

07:58

Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers

05:05

Ed Begley, Jr. on the creative team behind St. Elsewhere

01:36

Ed Begley, Jr. on using television and movies for social commentary or political messages, and on the healing power of comedy

05:39

Full Interview

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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

01:18

My Three Sons

Ed Begley, Jr. on his first acting job, on My Three Sons

01:36

St. Elsewhere

Ed Begley, Jr. on cast members from The Steve Allen Show guest-starring on St. Elsewhere

02:02

Ed Begley, Jr. on being cast on St. Elsewhere

01:37

Ed Begley, Jr. on the creative team behind St. Elsewhere

01:36

Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)

Ed Begley, Jr. on cast members from The Steve Allen Show guest-starring on St. Elsewhere

02:02

Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show

01:18

Topics

Advice

Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers

05:05

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Ed Begley, Jr. on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy

06:34

Pivotal Career Moments

Ed Begley, Jr. on his comedic influences, and on his philosophy of comedy

06:34

Television Industry

Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers

05:05

Professions

Actor

View Profession

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

04:35

Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers

05:05

Comedian

View Profession

Ed Begley, Jr. on the "rules" of comedy, and on then-favorite comedians, and managers of comedians

07:06

Performers

View Profession

Ed Begley, Jr. on the "rules" of comedy, and on then-favorite comedians, and managers of comedians

07:06

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

04:35

Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers

05:05

Genres

Comedy Series

Ed Begley, Jr. on his first acting job, on My Three Sons

01:36

Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show

01:18

Medical Dramas

Ed Begley, Jr. on starring on St. Elsewhere

06:45

Talk Shows

Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show

01:18

People

Christopher Guest

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Ed Begley, Jr. on appearing in films for director Christopher Guest

01:01

Ed Begley

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Ed Begley, Jr. on his father, Ed Begley, and on deciding to get into acting

01:28

Michael Richards

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Ed Begley, Jr. on his early stand-up act with Michael Richards, and on his early comedic style

06:17