Advisory Board Member


Ed Begley Jr.

TV and movie actor Ed Begley Jr., perhaps best known for his Emmy-nominated turn in St. Elsewhere, has long been recognized as one of the environmental pioneers of our time. His early forethought of being one of Hollywood's first to own an electric car in 1970 allowed him to set a standard for other celebrities to follow. www.edbegley.com

Begley has been known to show up at prestigious Hollywood award shows driving his electric car, his wife's Prius, or even riding his bicycle. He recharges his Toyota RAV4, with solar panels that also provide electricity for his entire two-bedroom home in California. He grows his own veggies, cooks them in a solar oven and powers his toaster with a stationary bike.

One might think his life would make a great television show … and so it has. Recently Begley, and his wife, actress Rachelle Carson stared in their own, if you will, reality green show, Living with Ed. This six-episode series aired on HGTV in January 2007 and puts a domestic spin on green issues. This first-of-its-kind docu-soap chronicles life with an earth-friendly fanatic with humor and heart. The entire show is a green production – powered by solar, and by purchasing carbon offsets. Catch a sneak peak of season 2 on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 at 10:00p.m. – The regular weekly time slot begins Monday, August 27, 2007 at 10:30ET/PT. You can check it out at www.livingwithed.net

Currently Begley is sharing his writing, directing and co-producing talents in his newly released theatre production Cesar & Rubin: The Cesar Chavez Stroy – A Musical. It is playing at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood California – August 10th through September 9, 2007. Thursday-Saturday at 8:00p.m. and Sunday at 3:00p.m. and 8:00p.m. The play is an amazing thought provoking, and emotional tribute to an exceptional human being. –http://www.cesarandruben.net/

His concern for the health and well-being of human beings, animals and the planet prompted the development and start up of Begley's Best environmentally friendly cleaning products. His products are non-toxic, non-caustic, biodegradable, vegan and child-safe. All profits go directly to charity and Begley runs the entire business solo. He has no employees, takes no salary and delivers product via one of his eco-friendly vehicles. www.begleysbest.com

Begley is an active member and sometimes-chair on the board of a number of green organizations, including the Environmental Media Association, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Thoreau Institute, the Earth Communications Office, Tree People and Friends of the Earth, among many others.

His work in the environmental community has earned him a number of awards from some of the most prestigious environmental groups in the nation, including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay and the Santa Monica Baykeeper.

When asked what he is most proud of, Begley's response is, "My children. I have a 7-year-old daughter that really, really cares about the environment and gets all this stuff because she's been around it her whole life. And my grown kids -- my son who's 28 and my daughter who's 29 -- have such an environmental ethic. So the thing I'm the proudest of -- that's it. It's that my children know about these important environmental issues, and they care about them, and they've embraced them. It means more to me than anything."