Trivia

Won Broadway's 1956 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Inherit the Wind."

Appeared in numerous radio dramas in the 1940s and 1950s, including a recurring role as Lieutenant Walter Levinson in "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" (which starred Dick Powell).

Father of Ed Begley Jr.

Named honorary mayor of Northridge, California (1968).

Brother-in-law of Bob Denver.

According to a write up in Ring Magazine, Begley had a short career as an amateur boxer in his youth.

Begley's Best Supporting Actor Oscar for El dulce pájaro de la juventud (1962) was presented to him by Rita Moreno (April 8 1963 / Santa Monica Civic Auditorium).

He was the son of Hannah (Clifford) and Michael Joseph Begley. His parents were Irish.