Ed Begley Jr.still remembers the "jarring" moment in 2016 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. "It was devastating," says the actor, 76, best known for his breakout role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich in the 80s medical dramaSt. Elsewhere.
Immediately reminded of his close friend, British actorBob Hoskins— who died three years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's — Begley Jr. turned to his neurologist and asked, "How long do I have? Can I squeeze five years out of this?"
Back home, he told his wife of 25 years, actress and producerRachelle Carson-Begley, 65, and his three kids — son Nicholas, 47, and daughters Amanda, 48, and Hayden, 26 — to prepare for the little time he believed they had left with him.
"I wasn't trying to freak anybody out," he says, "but I thought it was a death sentence."
Fortunately, the last ten years have proven him wrong. Thanks to a "winning combination" of standard medications and alternative treatments, Begley Jr., who lives in L.A. with Rachelle, has managed to keep his symptoms — tremors and stiffness and dizziness — well under control.
"I'm pretty happy with where I'm at," he says. "I thought I'd be gone in three years. Here it is a decade later and I don't think I'm leaving anytime soon."
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Looking back, Begley Jr.'s symptoms initially surfaced in 2004, when the actor developed a slight tremor in his left pinky, then inexplicably lost his sense of taste and smell. Over time, he started struggling with balance, muscle spasms and dizziness.
"I thought I was just getting older," says Begley Jr., who lived a healthier life than most as a dedicated environmentalist, vegan (since 1992) and avid bike rider.
It would be 12 years before doctors connected the dots — after Begley Jr. started slurring his lines at work and went to see a speech pathologist.
During his first session with UCLA Health's Lisa Bolden, she asked why Parkinson's wasn't noted in his charts. But it was the first time anyone had ever mentioned the condition to him. So, she recommended he see a neurologist and the actor was officially diagnosed.
"I'm glad I found out as late as I did," he admits. "I was blissfully unaware for a long time."
In the meantime, Begley Jr. kept working, keeping his diagnosis a secret for fear it would limit his acting opportunities. But with film and recurring TV roles on top shows likeArrested DevelopmentandYoung Sheldon, his career never wavered.
"That was all some dark fantasy in [my] mind. You can still play the character and not be an impediment to the story," says Begley Jr., who officially revealed his diagnosis in his 2023 memoir,To the Temple of Tranquility... And Step On It!. "People were kind to me before they found out, and doubly kind to me when they did find out later. And that was a wonderful revelation."
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These days, his health regimen includes 30 minutes on the stationary bike, "rigorous" upper-body workouts, and a sugar-free (still vegan) diet. "What a difference that's made," he says. "I wake up easier, I'm moving better…like a person again."
"I feel very, very lucky to be in the condition I am, having had Parkinson's basically since 2004," he adds.
Begley Jr. also incorporates alternative treatments — hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and NAD+ and glutathione infusions — to help improve motor symptoms.
"My wife browbeat me into doing it," he teases, calling the remedies his "extra credit." "We kissed a lot of frogs…but I've had a great deal of relief."
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Begley Jr. knows he's luckier than most, but admits "it's not an easy life" with Parkinson's — especially for his family.
"They had a father, a grandfather that could hike the trails in Oregon or play tag running around the yard. I could run now, but it'd be a geezer run," he jokes. "I do get depressed from time to time but it's only for 60 seconds. I don't feel like it serves me."
Instead, he spends time in his vegetable garden ("that's my area") with his kids and three grandkids — and is "buoyed" by their support. "I can't do everything on my own so the kids help me. You don't wanna be around me when I have a pickaxe in my hand," he quips. "Everybody stands clear."
Recently back from Toronto, where he was filming NBC'sBrilliant Minds, Begley Jr. says he's come to terms with his disease, making the most of his time and "drinking in" each milestone.
"I feel very grateful for Parkinson's. It's allowed me to appreciate every minute of my life…an appreciation that continues to this day," he says.
Begley Jr. shares that appreciation with his "dear friend"Michael J. Fox, who also lives with Parkinson's and famously founded his organization, theMichael J. Fox Foundation, for researching the disease.
"I cherish my times exchanging thoughts about Parkinson's with him by email and he's such a champion. He tells me, 'Hang in there because the cavalry is coming,'" Begley Jr. says, referring to the advancements being made in treatments.
"He and I both think there's good news coming. And I hope for many people's sake, it's soon. Least of all me, I'm doing just fine. I'm gonna be around for a while," he adds with a laugh. "I've had it for 22 years now. I think I can make it another 10."
For more on Ed Begley Jr., pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
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