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Television legend, Up favourite Ed Asner dies aged 91

Updated / Monday, 30 Aug 2021 07:29
Ed Asner with his Up character Carl Fredricksen at the premiere in Los Angeles in May 2009
Ed Asner with his Up character Carl Fredricksen at the premiere in Los Angeles in May 2009

Ed Asner, the seven-time Emmy winner who played the iconic TV character Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and his own spin-off drama, and also voiced Carl Fredricksen in the animated film Up, has died at the age of 91.

Announcing his passing on Twitter, Asner's family said: "We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you."

For his role as news editor Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and, later, Lou Grant, Asner won comedy and drama Emmys. The only other actor to win in the Emmys' comedy and drama categories for playing the same character is Orange Is the New Black star Uzo Aduba for her role as Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren.

Missouri-born Asner was a journeyman actor for over two decades before he was cast in the role of Lou Grant - one of American television's most-loved characters.

Asner played Grant in over 160 episodes of comedy classic The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970 to 1977, and then reprised the role in 114 episodes of current affairs drama Lou Grant, which ran from 1977 to 1982. He also won Emmys for his performances in the series Roots and Rich Man, Poor Man. His seven wins are the most for any male actor to date.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show stars Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner pictured in 1971

On television, Asner's many credits also included Bones, Cobra Kai, CSI: NY, ER, The Good Wife and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Best-known on the big screen for voicing widower Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's Up, Asner's other film credits included Fort Apache, The Bronx; JFK and Elf.

As Lou Grant in 1977

He continued to work into his 90s and had a number of projects in pre- and post-production.

A former president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), who was outspoken on politics and labour issues, Asner received the SAG's Life Achievement Award in 2002. The following year, he was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Asner was also celebrated for his charity work.

In an interview in entertainment trade publication The Hollywood Reporter last week, Asner was asked how the pandemic had affected him.

"It changed my life," he replied. "It seems like it's changed everybody's life - and I think it's changed performing and creativity as much as anything else."

"My eyesight is not the greatest and my hearing is not the greatest, so I don't go out much anyway," he continued. "I sit here most of the time, bored as hell, not sure which way to turn. I don't know. I'm waiting for the next gig, and they're slower in coming in now, I can tell you."

Ed Asner, pictured in 2016

On the subject of how old he felt at the age of 91, Asner said: "If it weren't for my bad left leg, I would feel younger. I've got many parts that need to be bolstered and refurbished. And I haven't got time to undergo all those changes."

The interview concluded with him being asked what was left on his bucket list.

"I haven't climbed Suribachi!" he said. "No, I think just ensuring that I've left enough for the family."

Here are some of the many tributes:

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