Walking the Walk — Barbara Greenleaf

Ed Begley, Jr. will discuss how to ‘live simply so others may simply live’

Movie and TV star Ed Begley Jr. continues to ride bicycles and do other things to help the environment along with his wife Rachelle Carson.

His friends thought Ed Begley Jr. was “whacko” when he became passionate about the environment at the age of 20 and living in the San Fernando Valley.

“I began riding my bike, recycling, composting, using public transportation, became a vegetarian and using environmentally safe cleaners,” said Mr. Begley during a phone interview from his home in Studio City.

Now 73, the well-known TV and movie actor has a passion that remains unabated.

“I continue to pick the low-hanging fruit and do things that are good for the environment and my pocketbook.”

Mr. Begley, who is being honored by the local ECO Team for going green before anyone even knew the term, will be in conversation with Barbara Greenleaf, ECO Team founder and author, at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at Congregation B’nai B’rith in Santa Barbara.

Entitled “Walking the Walk,” the conversation will trace Mr. Begley’s personal journey as a sustainable-living activist. His committed lifestyle was the subject of the reality series, “Living With Ed,” and he continues to promote earth-friendly ideas and products through his writings.

His mantra is: “Live simply so others may simply live.”

Mr. Begley will also discuss his 50-year Hollywood career from his breakout TV role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich in NBC’s “St. Elsewhere” to his recent film, “Book Club, ” with Diane Keaton and Candice Bergen.

“I am particularly flattered to be honored by the ECO Team, which encourages individuals to make small changes that help slow climate change and heal the planet with its emphasis on the carrot instead of the stick. Collectively, these little things add up to a lot,” said Mr. Begley, who was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Buffalo, N.Y., and attended Stella Niagara Education Park, a private Catholic school in Lewiston, N.Y.

Note: In October 2022, Barbara was pleased to present ECO Team’s first Environmental Hero Award to Ed Begley, Jr., for whom the award is named. Ed is not only a well-known actor, starting with his breakthrough TV role in St. Elsewhere, he is an outstanding advocate for and popularization of living green. This article is part of a series of events Barbara built around him.