Q&A: Ed Begley Jr.

January 20, 2007

& A: Ed Begley Jr. ON SCREENS BIG AND SMALL, versatile actor Ed Begley Jr. has played characters from an awkward young doctor ("St. Elsewhere") and a Swedish folk expert ("A Mighty Wind") to a dean at a crime-laden college ("Veronica Mars"). In real life, Begley is an avid environmentalist who lives in an L.A. house with solar panels and drives an electric car. He and his wife, actress Rachelle Carson, are currently starring in HGTV's new reality show, "Living with Ed." » EXPRESS: How long have you been living green?» BEGLEY: It really started in 1970s, when I got my first electric car and started composting and

recycling. My catalyst was the smog in L.A. And having been a Boy Scout, I liked the outdoors. Then, in the 1990s, I took it to another level and put in the solar panels. » EXPRESS: What's been the most surprising by-product of living this way?» BEGLEY: It's been good for my bottom line! I never thought I'd save money doing this, but the solar panels eventually paid themselves off. Other things pay for themselves more quickly, like energy-saving light bulbs and thermostats. » EXPRESS: You and your wife don't always agree on green projects, do you?» BEGLEY: I think I've had some impact on her. But she's had a positive impact on the house as far as aesthetics go. When she moved in, she thought the front yard looked like the Addams Family lived here — it was full of drought-friendly plants. But she had me put in things that were attractive as well, so now it uses very little water and looks great. » EXPRESS: Tell me about your electric car.» BEGLEY: It's a [Toyota] RAV4, and I'm driving it now. You wouldn't know it was electric if it weren't for the stickers. You can go 80 miles an hour in it, if you wish to break the law. » EXPRESS: You even put your name on an eco-friendly cleaning product.» BEGLEY: Yeah, Begley's Best. It's all plant-based things, citrus and pine. I'm also big on baking soda. You don't need Comet and all that harsh stuff. » EXPRESS: You do some of your cooking on a solar stove, right?» BEGLEY: Yeah, you can cook rice, beans and make soups. It doesn't get to 425 degrees, which you need for many recipes. But I use it whenever I can, unless it's a cloudy day. Why would you ever use a flame to boil water in California? » EXPRESS: You're a big vegan cook — what are some of your favorite recipes?»

BEGLEY: I make a nice vegetarian curry. It's a three-hour process where I roast mustard, coriander and cumin seeds, saute mushrooms and broccoli and make a broth from tomatoes. I also make shiitake mushrooms with lemon and basil. » EXPRESS: How does your wife, who isn't a vegan, react to your concoctions?» BEGLEY: Rachelle seems to like what I cook. If she wants a piece of salmon, I'll cook it for her. I'm not a dictator. » EXPRESS: You use a stationary bike to make toast. Are there other people-powered appliances in your house?» BEGLEY: I use my traditional bicycle to run errands. There's no other transportation device that can take me 30 miles on a bowl of rice and an ear of corn.Peter H

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