Legendary American actor and former president of Screen Actors Guild Ed Asner died at the age of 91.
Ed Asner is known for many roles and he is one of the few actors who have won Emmy awards multiple times. Asner won the prestigious Emmy 7 times – 5 times for the same character Lou Grant!
Ed Asner was born on 15th November 1929 in Kansas City Missouri and could feel that acting is the field that will bring him virtue in the future.
Ed Asner made his acting debut from Broadway in Face of a Hero and there was no turning back as he became the need of Broadway in those times. He performed a great deal of Broadway in American and Shakespeare festivals before finally moving towards Hollywood in 1961.
Moving to Hollywood was the step which made his destiny and in no time he was the most accomplished actor of Hollywood both film and television. He was the first iconic star on TV earning quick fame through his newsman portrayal of Lou Grant in the Mary Tyler Moore’s show. He even had a spinoff of the show called Lou Grant. He was the only one who comfortably played the same role both in comedy and a suspense drama series.
Esner has a long list of accolades and awards to his credits. From the very beginning of his career; to the very last moments of his life, he was actively involved in what he loved to do – acting.
Esner gave voice to many roles which became alive on screen such as the old widower in the Oscar-winning Pixar flick – Up. Asner also gave voice to hoggish greedily in the Captain Planet and the Planeteers, J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man series, Joshua in Joshua and the battle of Jericho, etc.
Ed Asner remained outspoken about his beliefs throughout his career and was a known voice for many political and humanitarian causes which included animal rights and the trade unions.
Ed Asner’s loss created a gap in the Hollywood industry, which will be hard to bridge. Condolences started pouring in as people got to know that Asner passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Cynthia Nixon from Sex and the City stated that Ed Asner was one of a kind and he was a true legend who will be missed greatly.
The Muppets paid tribute to the legendary actor tweeting “Ed Asner was a great friend of the Muppets. Few have ever been as funny, talented, and kind as he was. We will miss him dearly.”
The famous documentary maker Michael Moore also took over social media to express his grief on such a great loss. He reconciled his first interaction with the late actor while paying tribute to the legend.
Actor Billy Baldwin stated Asner was “one of the greats in showbiz history.”
Asner was also inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame back in 1996. He received the Union’s Prestigious Ralph Morgan award after serving as the president of the Screen Actors Guild for 5 straight years from 1981 to 1985.
Ed Asner was also given a Screen Actors Guild life achievement award.
