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“I had acted irresponsibly” — Edward Begley Jr.'s daughter Hayden Begley says she has been sober for 10 years “despite not being the worst addict”

Hayden Begley opens up about a conversation with her father that set her on a "new trajectory."
posted by Nirali Sheth
Saturday 5/3/2025 at 2:41AM EDT
  • Edward Begley Jr. and Hayden Begley (Photo: Everett Collection)
    Edward Begley Jr. and Hayden Begley (Photo: Everett Collection)

    Edward Begley Jr.'s daughter Hayden Begley, 25, revealed she has been sober for the last ten years, "despite not being the worst addict." The 25-year-old took to TikTok on April 2, 2025, to detail her sobriety journey.

    Hayden recalled an incident that happened on April 2, 2015, when she was a high school sophomore. She narrated that Edward Begley Jr. was driving her and her friends to breakfast during spring break. Noting she had been "on an all-night bender for many days" prior to that, Hayden explained:

    "I assumed he had no idea what I was doing last night, that I was just out with my friends. I had acted irresponsibly days leading up to this, so I hadn't really remembered it."

    The 25-year-old continued that after entering the car and noticing her dad's demeanor in the rearview mirror, "terrified" her. Hayden explained Edward had a look on his face that led to a heavy feeling growing inside her.

    Hayden Begley reflects on the conversation with her father over her drinking that changed her life

    In the TikTok video celebrating the 10th anniversary of her sobriety journey, Hayden Begley revealed the conversation she had with her father, which eventually opened the door for her to get sober.

    Hayden said, after catching a glimpse of her dad's face in the car that day in 2015, she inquired if anything was wrong. Edward Begley Jr. answered with a terse, and pushed the conversation for later. Not wanting to make things "tense" for her friends, she waited until they were alone. Hayden Begley recalled:

    "When we got to the restaurant, I let them go inside, and I got in the front seat next to him, and I said, 'What's going on?' And he looked at me, scratching his face, and he said, 'Are you drinking?'" 

    The 25-year-old continued to explain that her father's concern stemmed from their family's history of addiction. Elaborating on her thinking, Hayden Begley noted she initially had no intentions of seeking help. She added that she "turned to substances" when depressed but didn't think she needed help.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by hayden (@haydenbegley)

    However, in that moment, Hayden answered honestly. The conversation that followed changed her life. When her father questioned if she needed help, the 25-year-old said, "Yes." She continued:

    "I don't know if it was the fear of disappointing my father or if it was some other greater entity, but it changed my life for the better, and from that day, I began on a whole new trajectory that would give me the life that I have today."

    The 25-year-old asserted that she was "incredibly grateful" for the sobriety journey sparked by her conversation with Edward Begley Jr.

    Hayden Begley is an actress and musician. According to her blog, Begley Living, she has been writing songs since she was five and frequently performs her own material in the LA music scene. Her musical style reflects influence from artists like Adele, Ani DiFranco, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (supergroup). The 25-year-old sang Chasing a Lie (originally by Maxwell Sterling and Charles Dennis) in the 2017 film Chicanery.

    Hayden has also starred in movies. According to IMDb, her acting credits include Candy Flip (post-production), WalledIN (2017), and On Begley Street (2013).

    The father-daughter duo went viral last March for taking the Los Angeles Metro to the Oscars venue. According to the NY Times, they have previously taken alternative transportation to the event, including bicycles and electric vehicles. Notably, in addition to his acting career, Begley Jr. is a well-known environmentalist.

    Edward shares Hayden Begley with his wife, Rachelle Carson. He is also a father to Nicholas and Amanda with his ex-wife, Ingrid Taylor.

    Begley Jr. has not publicly commented on Hayden's TikTok.

    TOPICS: Hayden Begley, Edward Begley Jr.