Ed Chigliak

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Ed Chigliak is a fictional character in the television series Northern Exposure. He was played by Darren E. Burrows.

Ed was born in Alaska to a white mother and a native American father. He was abandoned shortly after his birth and was raised by an Indian tribe. As the series opens he is eighteen years old, living alone and working for Maurice Minnifield as a gofer; later he also works in Ruth-Anne Miller's general grocery. He is amiable, but somewhat slow at understanding what people want of him. He can be tactless, and has difficulty understanding social conventions such as "knocking before entering". However he is obviously highly intelligent, and has an amazing memory for facts (he enjoys reading the telephone directory). These traits have led to some suggesting he may have Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.

He loves movies and has a large knowledge of them. He took to 16mm film-making early in the series, and likes to film anything. He becomes a shaman-in-training later on. Ed is perhaps Joel's closest friend as he frequently serves as a confidant. Ed has made at least three movies:

  • A documentary about Ira Wingfeather who produced unique wooden flutes.
  • A documentary on rock star Brad Bonner's (played by Adam Ant) attempt at a concert with Indian drummers.
Northern Exposure
Characters
Joel Fleischman | Maggie O'Connell | Maurice Minnifield | Chris Stevens
Shelly Tambo | Holling Vincoeur | Ed Chigliak | Ruth-Anne Miller | Marilyn Whirlwind
Phil Capra | Michelle Capra
Episodes