You’ve probably seen him biking through Los Angeles or playing a quirky, high-strung professional on your favorite sitcom. Maybe you remember him as the bumbling Dr. Victor Ehrlich on St. Elsewhere or the ethics-driven Cliff Main in Better Call Saul. But there is one thing that hits you immediately when he shares the screen with almost anyone else: the man is an absolute skyscraper. Ed Begley Jr. stands at a legitimate 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm). In a town like Hollywood, where "leading man height" is often a carefully guarded secret involving lifts and clever camera angles, Begley is the real deal. He doesn’t just look tall; he possesses a lanky, slightly awkward frame that has defined his career for over five decades.
The Reality of Being 6'4" in Hollywood
Honestly, being that tall can be a blessing and a curse in acting. For Ed, it became a signature trait.
Think about his role in Better Call Saul. There’s a scene in season six where he walks out of a mediation room with Dennis Boutsikaris. It’s almost comical. Boutsikaris, who plays Rich Schweikart, stands about 5'7". The nearly nine-inch height difference creates this natural power dynamic that the directors didn't even have to script. Begley’s height gives him an inherent "dean of the faculty" or "senior partner" energy, even when he’s playing someone remarkably gentle.
Interestingly, his father, the legendary Oscar-winner Ed Begley Sr., wasn't a giant. The elder Begley was roughly 5'7" or 5'8"—a much more average stature for a character actor of his era. Ed Jr. clearly won the genetic lottery in the height department, towering over his famous father by more than half a foot.
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Why the height works for his comedy
Most people know Ed from Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries like Best in Show or A Mighty Wind. In those films, his height is often used for physical comedy. There’s something inherently funny about a 6'4" man trying to look inconspicuous or acting incredibly neurotic.
- He often plays characters who are intellectually superior but socially "off."
- His long limbs make his physical gestures, like a simple shrug or a nervous pace, feel more exaggerated.
- Directors love pairing him with shorter actors to emphasize his "gentle giant" persona.
Beyond the Stature: A Life Built on Sustainability
You can't talk about Ed Begley Jr. without mentioning his environmentalism. It’s basically his entire brand. While other celebrities were buying Hummers in the 90s, Ed was riding a custom bicycle to the Oscars.
Yes, he actually rode a bike to the Academy Awards. Imagine a 6'4" man in a tuxedo pedaling through traffic. He’s been living "green" since 1970, long before it was trendy. He famously lived in a small house powered by solar panels and a wind turbine, even using a stationary bike to power his toaster.
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Health and Parkinson’s Disease
In recent years, Ed has been open about his journey with Parkinson’s disease. It’s a diagnosis he received in 2016, and it’s something he handles with the same pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude he brings to his environmental work.
While the disease can affect movement and posture—sometimes making people appear shorter as they stoop—Ed has remained remarkably active. At 76 years old, he still credits his lifelong fitness habits, particularly cycling and walking, for helping him maintain his mobility. He often says it’s a "use it or lose it" situation. Staying fit has allowed him to keep that commanding 6'4" presence on screen in shows like Young Sheldon, where he played Dr. Grant Linkletter.
Height Comparisons: Ed vs. The Industry
To put his height into perspective, it helps to see how he stacks up against other well-known figures.
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Ed Begley Jr. (6'4") is the same height as:
- Jeff Goldblum: Another actor known for being tall, lanky, and delightfully eccentric.
- Conan O’Brien: Who often jokes about his own "giant" stature.
- Jason Segel: Though Segel has a much broader build.
Compare that to the average American male height of roughly 5'9", and you realize why he stands out. In a scene with someone like Tom Cruise (approx. 5'7") or Robert Downey Jr. (approx. 5'9"), the height gap would be staggering. This is likely why he’s so often cast as a mentor, a doctor, or an authority figure. You just can’t ignore a man who literally looks down on the rest of the cast.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're looking at Ed Begley Jr.'s career as a blueprint, there are a few things to take away.
- Lean into your "flaws" or unique traits. Ed never tried to hide his height or his lankiness. He made it part of his comedic timing.
- Prioritize long-term health. His ability to continue working while managing Parkinson's is a testament to the decades he spent staying active.
- Consistency is king. Whether it's his 50-year acting career or his 50-year commitment to the environment, he proves that staying the course pays off.
If you want to see his height put to its best cinematic use, go back and watch St. Elsewhere. The way he looms over the hospital beds while maintaining a completely earnest, naive expression is a masterclass in using your physical self to tell a story. He didn't just show up and say lines; he used all six feet and four inches of himself to create a character that people still talk about forty years later.
Check out his memoir, To the Temple of Tranquility... And Step on It!, for a deeper look into how he navigated Hollywood as a second-generation actor with a very different physical profile than his father. It’s a great read if you want to understand the man behind the height.