Begley was born on March 25, 1901 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was married to Amanda Huff from 1922 until they divorced in 1957. Then he was married to Dorothy Reeves from 1961 until they divorced in 1963. He was last married to Helen Jordan from 1963 until his death in 1970. Begley died on April 28, 1970 in his Hollywood, California home from a heart attack, aged 69. His son is actor Ed Begley, Jr..