Edward James Begley Sr. (March 25, 1901 â€" April 28, 1970) was an
American actor of theatre, radio, film, and television. He won an
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the
film Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) and appeared in such classics as 12
Angry Men (1957) and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). He was
nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Matthew Harrison
Brady in a television adaptation of Inherit the Wind. He is the father
of actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr.Begley was born in
Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Hannah (née Clifford) and Michael
Joseph Begley, Irish immigrants. After he dropped-out of school as a
fifth-grader, Begley ran away from home several times, going to work
for "carnivals, fairs, and small circuses". Later he sold brushes,
delivered milk, and served in the United States Navy during World War
I.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 and
in London the next year. He later acted in roles as Sgt. O'Hara in the
radio show The Fat Man. His radio work included Stroke of Fate and a
period as Charlie Chan, among other roles. He also starred in the
1950s radio program Richard Diamond, Private Detective, playing
Lieutenant Walter Levinson, head of homicide at the 5th Precinct,
Manhattan. He was elected a member of The Lambs in 1943. In the late
1940s, he began appearing regularly in supporting film roles.
American actor of theatre, radio, film, and television. He won an
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the
film Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) and appeared in such classics as 12
Angry Men (1957) and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). He was
nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Matthew Harrison
Brady in a television adaptation of Inherit the Wind. He is the father
of actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr.Begley was born in
Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Hannah (née Clifford) and Michael
Joseph Begley, Irish immigrants. After he dropped-out of school as a
fifth-grader, Begley ran away from home several times, going to work
for "carnivals, fairs, and small circuses". Later he sold brushes,
delivered milk, and served in the United States Navy during World War
I.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 and
in London the next year. He later acted in roles as Sgt. O'Hara in the
radio show The Fat Man. His radio work included Stroke of Fate and a
period as Charlie Chan, among other roles. He also starred in the
1950s radio program Richard Diamond, Private Detective, playing
Lieutenant Walter Levinson, head of homicide at the 5th Precinct,
Manhattan. He was elected a member of The Lambs in 1943. In the late
1940s, he began appearing regularly in supporting film roles.
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