Ned Beatty was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and began his professional performing career as a singer. He ultimately turned down a singing scholarship to Transylvania University, and began acting professionally when he was 19. He spent the first decade of his career performing at various regional theaters, including the Actors Theater of Louisville and the Barter Theater. He made his film debut in 1972 in the award-winning feature, “Deliverance”. From there, he went on to appear star in both film and television projects, including “The Last American Hero”, “The Rockford Files”, “Nashville”, “MAS*H”, “Network”, “Superman”, “The Big Easy”, “Prelude to a Kiss”, “Cookie’s Fortune”, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, and “Charlie Wilson’s War”. He has been nominated for an Oscar, two Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe. He won the Drama Desk Award for his work in the 2004 production of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof”.