| Edward Begley (right) with Monte Markham in 1969. | |
Edward James “Ed” Begley, Sr. (March 25, 1901 – April 28, 1970) was an American actor of theatre, radio, film, and television. Edward Begley was born in Hartford, Connecticut and was the son of Hannah (née Clifford) from Killorglin and Michael Joseph Begley. Edward Begley began his career as a Broadway and radio actor while in his teens. He appeared in the hit musical Going Up on Broadway in 1917. He later acted in roles as Sgt. O'Hara in the radio show The Fat Man. His radio work included a period as Charlie Chan and Stroke Of Fate amongst other roles. He also starred in the 1950s radio program Richard Diamond; Private Dectective, playing Lieutenant Walter Levinson, head of homicide at the 5th Precinct, Manhattan. In the late 1940s, he began appearing regularly in supporting film roles.
Above; 'Ed' Begley with his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor 1962. In the 1952-1953 television season, Begley co-starred with Eddie Albert in the CBS Leave It To Larry. Begley, though only five years older than Albert, played the father-in-law and employer of Albert's character, Larry Tucker, a shoe salesman, who with his young family lives with Begley. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sweet Bird Of Youth (1962). Some of his other notable films include 12 Angry Men (1957), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) and Wild In The Streets (1968). One notable role Begley played both on television (twice in 1955) and in the theatrical film (1956) is Andy Sloane, one of the three primary characters in Rod Serling's Patterns. His other television work included appearances on Justice, Empire, The Virginian, Bonanza, The Fugitive, Target; The Corruptors, The Invaders, The Wild Wild West, and Going My Way, with Gene Kelly. Begley married three times. He is the father of the actor and environmental advocate Ed Begley Jr. Among his many Broadway credits were All My Sons and Inherit The Wind. In 1962 Ed brought his wife to see the home his father left, a place of which he said was to him “hallowed with memories”. With his wife, he stood in front of the open turf fire where his grandfather taught the boys to dance and box. Edward Begley died of a heart attack in Hollywood California on the 28th of April 1970. He is buried at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, California.
Above; The grave of Edward Begley.
