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).
Begley's Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) was presented to him by Rita Moreno (April 8 1963 / Santa Monica Civic Auditorium).
Named honorary mayor of Northridge, California (1968).
According to a write up in Ring Magazine, Begley had a short career as an amateur boxer in his youth.
He was the son of Hannah (Clifford) and Michael Joseph Begley. His parents were Irish.