Edward Albert
He emerged from a famous Hollywood shadow, winning a Golden Globe for his sensitive turn as a blind man discovering independence in 'Butterflies Are Free'.
1951–2006 (age 55)·American actor·Birthday: February 20·Baby Boomers
Biography
Edward Albert carried the weight of a famous name—son of actor Eddie Albert and actress Margo—but forged a distinct path defined by thoughtful, often intense performances. His breakthrough came not in a blockbuster, but in the intimate 1972 film 'Butterflies Are Free,' where his portrayal of a fiercely independent blind young man earned him a Golden Globe and critical praise. Rather than chase leading-man status, Albert built a remarkably steady career across 130 films and TV shows, gravitating toward science fiction, horror, and character roles that intrigued him. He was a familiar face in genre projects like 'Galaxy of Terror' and 'The House Where Evil Dwells,' and later brought gravitas to series like 'Falcon Crest.' His life was also marked by environmental activism and a deep interest in Native American rights, reflecting a complexity that went far beyond the screen.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Edward was born in 1951, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Edward Was Born
The biggest hits of 1951
#1 Movie
Quo Vadis
Best Picture
An American in Paris
#1 TV Show
Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
Edward's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1951Born
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1956Started school
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1964Became a teenager
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1967Could drive
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1969Could vote
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1972Turned 21
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1981Turned 30
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1991Turned 40
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2001Turned 50
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2006Died at 55
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
Key Achievements
- He won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year for his role in 'Butterflies Are Free' (1972).
- He starred in over 130 film and television productions, maintaining a consistent career for four decades.
- He served as the host and narrator for the documentary series 'The Great Whales: National Geographic'.
- He was an outspoken advocate for environmental causes and Native American rights.
Did You Know?
He was fluent in Spanish, which he learned from his Mexican-born mother, actress Margo.
He was an accomplished pilot and owned several aircraft.
He studied anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
He provided the voice for the character of Sigma in the popular video game 'Mega Man X'.
“The challenge is to find the truth in a character, not just play the surface.”
