History of Ned Beatty in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: January 16, 2025

Ned Thomas Beatty, a prolific American actor with a career spanning five decades, appeared in over 160 films and television roles, earning him the reputation of "the busiest actor in Hollywood." His notable film credits include "Deliverance," "All the President's Men," "Network," "Superman," "Back to School," "Rudy," "Shooter," "Toy Story 3," and "Rango." He also played the regular role of Stanley Bolander in the first three seasons of the NBC drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street."

July 6, 1937: Birth of Ned Beatty

Ned Beatty was born on July 6, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky.

1937: Not Related to Warren Beatty

Both Ned Beatty and Warren Beatty were born in 1937, but they are not related. Ned Beatty would jokingly refer to Warren as his "illegitimate uncle".

1941: No information available

No specific event information is available for the year 1941 related to Ned Beatty's career. Please provide additional context or clarify the date.

1947: Early Singing Career

In 1947, Ned Beatty began singing in gospel and barbershop quartets.

1956: Stage Debut

Ned Beatty made his stage debut in "Wilderness Road" in 1956.

1959: Marriage to Walta Chandler

Ned Beatty married Walta Chandler in 1959.

1966: Performance in Death of a Salesman

In 1966, Ned Beatty played Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman."

1968: End of Marriage with Walta Chandler

Ned Beatty's marriage to Walta Chandler ended in 1968.

1969: Zodiac Killer Resemblance

In 1969, a composite sketch of the Zodiac Killer was created, which Ned Beatty later bore a resemblance to. This resemblance led to him being considered for the role of John Doe in the film "Seven".

1971: Marriage to Belinda Rowley

Ned Beatty married actress Belinda Rowley in 1971.

1972: Film Debut in Deliverance

In 1972, Ned Beatty made his film debut in the controversial and successful film "Deliverance."

1973: Collaboration with Burt Reynolds in White Lightning

In 1973, Ned Beatty appeared in "White Lightning," reuniting with his "Deliverance" co-star Burt Reynolds.

1973: Roles in Multiple Films and TV Appearances

In 1973, Ned Beatty appeared in films like "The Thief Who Came to Dinner," "The Last American Hero," and "White Lightning," as well as TV shows like "The Waltons" and "The Marcus-Nelson Murders."

1975: Appearances in Various Films and TV Shows

In 1975, Ned Beatty appeared in films such as "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings" and "Nashville," and TV shows including "M*A*S*H," "Attack on Terror," and "Gunsmoke."

1976: Academy Award Nomination for Network

In 1976, Ned Beatty received his only Academy Award nomination for his role in "Network."

1976: Appearances in The Big Bus, Silver Streak, and Mikey and Nicky

Ned Beatty appeared in "The Big Bus," "Silver Streak," and "Mikey and Nicky" in 1976.

1977: Role in Exorcist II: The Heretic and TV Appearance

In 1977, Ned Beatty appeared in "Exorcist II: The Heretic" and the TV series "Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected."

1978: Appearance in Gray Lady Down and Superman

In 1978, Ned Beatty appeared in "Gray Lady Down" and "Superman: The Movie."

1978: Appearance in Superman

Ned Beatty played Otis in "Superman: The Movie" in 1978.

June 28, 1979: Marriage to Dorothy Lindsay

Ned Beatty married Dorothy "Tinker" Lindsay on June 28, 1979.

1979: Emmy Nomination and Roles in Wise Blood and 1941

In 1979, Ned Beatty received an Emmy nomination and appeared in "Wise Blood" and "1941."

1980: Appearance in Superman II

Ned Beatty appeared in "Superman II" in 1980.

1981: Role in The Incredible Shrinking Woman

In 1981, Ned Beatty appeared in "The Incredible Shrinking Woman."

1982: Appearance in The Toy

Ned Beatty appeared in the film "The Toy" in 1982.

1983: Collaboration with Burt Reynolds in Stroker Ace

In 1983, Ned Beatty worked with Burt Reynolds again in "Stroker Ace."

1985: Appearance in Restless Natives

Ned Beatty appeared in "Restless Natives" in 1985.

1986: Role in Back to School

In 1986, Ned Beatty appeared in the comedy "Back to School."

1987: Roles in The Big Easy and The Fourth Protocol

In 1987, Ned Beatty appeared in "The Big Easy" and "The Fourth Protocol."

1988: Appearances in Shadows in the Storm, Switching Channels, and Purple People Eater

In 1988, Ned Beatty appeared in "Shadows in the Storm," "Switching Channels," and "Purple People Eater."

1988: Support for Jesse Jackson's Presidential Campaign

In 1988, Ned Beatty supported Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign.

1989: Role in Chattahoochee and Recurring Role in Roseanne

In 1989, Ned Beatty appeared in "Chattahoochee" and began a recurring role in "Roseanne."

1990: Roles in Repossessed and Captain America

Ned Beatty appeared in "Repossessed" and "Captain America" in 1990.

1990: Emmy Nomination for Last Train Home

Ned Beatty received an Emmy nomination for "Last Train Home" in 1990.

1991: Golden Globe Nomination for Hear My Song

In 1991, Ned Beatty was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in "Hear My Song."

1992: Role in Prelude to a Kiss and The Golden Palace

In 1992, Ned Beatty appeared in "Prelude to a Kiss" and "The Golden Palace."

1993: Appearance in Rudy and Start of Homicide: Life on the Street

Ned Beatty appeared in "Rudy" and began his role in "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1993.

1993: Appearance in Rudy

Ned Beatty appeared in the film "Rudy" in 1993.

1994: Replikator and Radioland Murders

In 1994, Ned Beatty appeared in the science-fiction film "Replikator" and the mystery-comedy "Radioland Murders".

1994: End of Recurring Role in Roseanne

Ned Beatty's recurring role in "Roseanne" ended in 1994.

1995: Just Cause and Streets of Laredo

In 1995, Beatty starred in the thriller "Just Cause" alongside Sean Connery and Laurence Fishburne, and portrayed Judge Roy Bean in the TV miniseries "Streets of Laredo". He was also considered for the role of John Doe in "Seven" but declined.

1995: End of Role in Homicide: Life on the Street

Ned Beatty's role in "Homicide: Life on the Street" ended in 1995.

March 1998: End of Marriage with Dorothy Lindsay

Ned Beatty's marriage with Dorothy Lindsay ended in March 1998.

1998: He Got Game

Ned Beatty appeared in the sports-drama film "He Got Game", directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington, in 1998.

November 20, 1999: Marriage to Sandra Johnson

Ned Beatty married Sandra Johnson on November 20, 1999.

1999: Cookie's Fortune, Life, and Spring Forward

In 1999, Ned Beatty returned to work with the films "Cookie's Fortune", "Life", and "Spring Forward".

1999: Rampart Setting

The film "Rampart", in which Ned Beatty appeared, is set in 1999 Los Angeles.

2000: Homicide: The Movie

In 2000, Ned Beatty reprised his role as Detective Stanley Bolander in the television police drama reunion film "Homicide: The Movie".

2002: Thunderpants

Ned Beatty appeared in the film "Thunderpants" directed by Peter Hewitt in 2002.

2003: Where the Red Fern Grows

In 2003, Ned Beatty portrayed a sheriff in the film "Where the Red Fern Grows".

2004: The Wool Cap

Ned Beatty appeared in the television film "The Wool Cap" with William H. Macy in 2004.

2005: Sweet Land

In 2005, Ned Beatty appeared in the American independent film "Sweet Land", directed by Ali Selim.

March 2006: RiverRun International Film Festival Award

In March 2006, Ned Beatty received the "Master of Cinema" award at the RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

2007: Shooter, The Walker, and Charlie Wilson's War

In 2007, Ned Beatty appeared in three films: "Shooter", portraying a corrupt U.S. Senator; "The Walker", directed by Paul Schrader; and "Charlie Wilson's War", playing Congressman Doc Long alongside Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.