Changing Hollywood's Car Culture with Ed Begley Jr.

Dec 3, 2024

Ed Begley Jr., a renowned actor and environmental activist, shares his journey from Hollywood fame to advocating for sustainable living. He discusses his long-standing commitment to electric vehicles and public transportation, even taking the LA Metro to award shows. With humor, he recounts personal car experiences and highlights the importance of shifting from car culture to walkable city designs. Ed's insights into merging environmental responsibility with everyday life showcase the potential for meaningful change in an industry often dominated by ostentatious displays of wealth.

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ANECDOTE

1973 Car Crash

Ed Begley Jr. discusses a 1973 Christmas Eve car crash that fractured his femur.
This painful experience later informed his acting and activism.

INSIGHT

Terror as a Tool

Ed Begley Jr. learned to use terror and discomfort to improve his acting.
Jack Nicholson advised him to tap into past experiences to enhance his performance.

ANECDOTE

Conservative Conservationist

Ed Begley Jr.'s father, a conservative, instilled in him values of conservation.
This led Ed to adopt environmentally conscious habits, saving money in the process.

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From mockumentaries to dramas to situation comedies, Ed Begley Jr. has done it all. His truly one-of-a-kind acting career has seen him work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, and more. But beyond his impressive resume, Ed Begley Jr. is also known for his environmental activism. He's probably the most famous person to have owned some version of an electric vehicle for a lot longer than most people have even been aware of EVs. Ed has been been committed to environmental conservation since at least the 1970s, and he’s designed his life so that it's as free of fossil fuels as possible, with solar panels on the roof, an e-bike in the garage, and a house chosen for its proximity to transit. Notably, he’s taken the LA Metro to the Academy Awards, making a statement in an industry and a city where fancy cars and conspicuous consumption are signs of success. In this fun conversation, Ed Begley Jr. invites us into his home to talk about his work, his activism, and his philosophy about life.

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This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation.

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LINKS:

Buy Ed Begley Jr.’s memoir, To the Temple of Tranquility…and Step on It! at our official Bookshop.org page.

Hayden Begley documented her dad’s trip to the Oscars via LA Metro on TikTok.

The Actor Who Who Rides the Subway to the Oscars (NY Times)

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This episode was edited by Doug Gordon. It was recorded by Avishay Artsy. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.

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