Ed Begley, Jr. Quotes

Powerful Ed Begley, Jr. for Daily Growth

About Ed Begley, Jr.

Ed Begley, Jr., born on January 24, 1949, in Los Angeles, California, is an accomplished American actor, comedian, and environmental activist, best known for his roles in film, television, and theater. He was the son of veteran character actor Ed Begley, which significantly influenced his decision to pursue a career in acting. Begley Jr.'s acting debut came in 1972 with a small role in the TV series 'Columbo'. However, it was his portrayal of Oscar NRM in the sitcom 'St. Elsewhere' (1982-1988) that propelled him to fame and earned him three Emmy nominations. Since then, he has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, including notable roles in 'Batteries Not Included', 'Best in Show', 'Arrested Development', and 'Better Call Saul'. Environmental activism is another significant aspect of Begley Jr.'s life. He has been a strong advocate for environmental causes since the 1970s, living a zero-waste lifestyle, driving electric cars, and promoting renewable energy sources. His activism led to roles in documentaries like 'An Inconvenient Truth' (2006) and 'An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power' (2017). In 2014, Begley Jr. published his autobiography, 'The Begleys of Beverly Hills', co-written with his sister, actress and environmentalist Lois Robbins. The book chronicles the family's journey in Hollywood, their shared passion for the environment, and their efforts to live a sustainable lifestyle. Ed Begley, Jr.'s career spans nearly five decades, making him an enduring figure in American entertainment. His work on screen and his environmental activism have made a lasting impact, inspiring many to consider their carbon footprint and the importance of sustainability. Some notable quotes from Begley Jr. include: 1. "I don't want to live on a planet that's not hospitable." 2. "If it's not sustainable, it's not affordable." 3. "The environment is everything we have and everything we do. It affects everyone in the world, all of the time, everywhere."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I was a vegetarian before being a vegetarian was cool."

The quote signifies that Ed Begley, Jr. adopted a vegetarian lifestyle before it became popular or fashionable to do so. This suggests a personal commitment towards ethical living and environmental consciousness ahead of societal trends.


"The environment is everything that affects us, now and in the future, worldwide, national, local. It's all connected."

Ed Begley, Jr.'s quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of our global environment. He suggests that anything which influences our present and future wellbeing, regardless of geographical boundaries, falls under the umbrella term 'environment'. In essence, he's reminding us that local actions have worldwide consequences and vice versa, underscoring the necessity of sustainable practices on all scales to ensure a healthy future for everyone.


"Climate change is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced, bar none."

The statement "Climate change is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced, bar none" highlights that climate change is an unprecedented issue facing humanity, exceeding any challenges we've encountered in our history. This underscores the severity of the impact of global warming on our planet and our future as a species, requiring concerted action from all nations to mitigate its effects.


"I have to believe that every little bit helps. If we all do a little, it becomes a lot."

The quote emphasizes the collective power of small actions. It suggests that even though individual contributions may seem insignificant on their own (every little bit), when combined with everyone else's efforts (it becomes a lot), significant change can be achieved. This highlights the importance of personal responsibility and collective action in bringing about positive change.


"If you recycle, you're part of the solution. If you don't, you're part of the pollution."

This quote by Ed Begley, Jr. emphasizes that making conscious efforts to recycle is a positive action towards environmental preservation, while neglecting to recycle contributes to the overall problem of pollution. It underscores the individual's role in addressing global waste management issues and promoting sustainable living practices.


We run around so much - with the best intentions: I want to save the rain forest. I've gotta clean up the oceans. I've gotta save the dolphins. All worthy efforts, but if you're not centered and you don't have the serenity in your life you need to accomplish that task, you're not going to do a very good job.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Serenity, Forest, Very, Worthy

For decades, community colleges have been the backbone of American workforce training. Because they are nimble and closely attuned to local community needs, they are inherently positioned to be influential leaders of the movement for a sustainable economy.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Needs, Been, Closely, Attuned

People are overwhelmed looking up at the Mount Everest of environmental challenges that we face. But you put one foot in front of the other and you recognize that not everyone is Sir Edmund Hillary.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Environmental, Other, Mount

I started composting in 1970 by taking my food scraps out behind where I lived and burying them in a hole next to the railroad tracks - and green things started to grow there!

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Behind, Next, Burying, Scraps

I'm a strong proponent of green tech for anyone who can afford it, having spent the last 40 years working toward achieving a smaller and smaller eco-impact for myself.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Strong, Tech, Smaller, Proponent

I've been in movies with Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson - but I was on 'The Simpsons,' and finally, in the eyes of my children, I was a star.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Star, Been, Meryl, Jack

I bought my first electric car in 1970. Its top speed was 15 mph and it had just a 15 mile range - it was essentially a golf cart with a windshield wiper and a horn.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Electric, Bought, Mile, Mph

I'm not a wealthy person because I was never a star. I was a working actor and a supporting actor.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Never, Actor, Wealthy, Supporting Actor

I can trace my environmentally-friendly lifestyle back to my childhood. My father was a conservative Republican that liked to 'conserve'.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Childhood, Conservative, Conserve

My father also encouraged my love of nature. He urged me to become a Cub Scout, and later a Boy Scout, and I found I really liked being outdoors.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Love, Nature, Father, Cub

I've lived a slower and less expensive life going off the grid, and I'm happier because of it.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Going, Lived, Happier, Grid

It takes less land to grow a pound of broccoli than it does a pound of beef. Less land to grow a pound of grain than a pound of beef. Less water, less energy.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Grow, Than, Does, Pound

My favorite form of transportation is walking. I live in a neighborhood where you can walk to restaurants, banks, and shops.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Transportation, Banks, Form, Neighborhood

I ride my bike for transportation a great deal - occasionally I ride it for fun. But I also have a generator bike that's hooked up to my solar battery pack, so if I ride 15 minutes hard on my bike, that's enough energy to toast toast, or power my computer.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Deal, 15 Minutes, Generator, Transportation

The film 'Tapped' illustrates quite clearly how we've been getting 'soaked' for years by the bottled water industry.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Film, Been, Industry, Bottled

One of the regular intervals of meditation in my life, believe it or not, is in my car.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Car, My Life, Intervals, Regular

Los Angeles is a city known as much for it's sun as for its stars and it's dirty air.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Dirty, Los, Angeles, Los Angeles

California has always led the way on environmental protection and always reaped the benefits, pioneering everything from catalytic convertors on cars to stationary source reduction.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Always, Benefits, Pioneering

The environmental crisis is all a result of rushing.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Environmental, Result, Rushing

For my own health, I thought it was better to eat a plant based diet. I'm going to be 60 soon and I have boundless energy and I feel really good, so I'm all for it.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Thought, Going, Based, Boundless

I was a typical Valley teen, in smoggy Van Nuys.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Teen, Valley, Van, Typical

If you're not buying recycled products, you're not really recycling.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Recycling, You, Buying, Recycled

By 1990 I went back to no gasoline; I was just riding around on my bike, taking the bus. I had a tiny little electric car that didn't go very far or very fast. People thought I'd lost my mind. Even my own family thought I'd lost my mind.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Thought, Bus, Very, Tiny

People don't want to give up their SUVs. They don't want to turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Winter, Want, Give, Summer

As someone who has grown up living in Southern California, I know all too well about the costs and scarcities of water.

- Ed Begley, Jr.

Living, Southern, Costs, California

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