Edward James Begley Jr. (born September 16, 1949) is an American actor and environmentalist. Begley has appeared in hundreds of films, television shows, and stage performances. He is most recognized for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich, the bumbling surgical partner of Dr. Mark Craig (played by William Daniels), on the television series St. Elsewhere (1982–1988), for which he received six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination. He also co-hosted, along with wife Rachelle Carson, the green living reality show entitled Living with Ed (2007–2010).
Equally prolific in cinema, Begley's best known films include Stay Hungry (1976), Blue Collar (1978), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Accidental Tourist (1988), The Pagemaster (1994), Batman Forever (1995), Auto Focus (2002), Pineapple Express (2008) and Ghostbusters (2016). He is a recurring cast member in several of the mockumentaries of Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, including Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006).