We’ve lost another legend as veteran actor, activist, and philanthropistEd Asnerhas died. Asner, who’s brought laughter to millions with his role as Lou Grant onThe Mary Tyler Moore Showalong with many other roles, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning while surrounded by family members. A cause of death was not revealed for the beloved entertainer. He was 91 years old.
A television icon, Asner is the most awarded male performer in Emmy history with seven total wins for his acting. Five of those were for his most recognized role as Lou Grant, one of the most popular characters of classic television. Playing the role in the 70s and 80s onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, Asner also reprised that role for his own spinoff seriesLou Grant, which ran for five seasons between 1977-82.
Asner’s appearance on both shows makes him one of very few actors to play the same character in both a comedy and a drama. He won three Supporting Actor in a Comedy Television Series Emmy Awards for playing Lou Grant onThe Mary Tyler Moore Showand later picked up another two wins for Lead Actor in a Drama Television Series for the spinoff. He also won Outstanding Lead Actor for 1976’sRich Man, Poor Manand Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor for 1977’sRoots.
In addition to his small screen work, Answer has appeared in many movies over the years. He notably portrayed the villain to John Wayne as Bart Jason in the 1966 WesternEl Dorado. Some of his other memorable movie roles include Guy Banister inJFK, Uncle Charlie inHard Rain, and the voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’sUp. He also played Santa Claus in many features, including 1996’sThe Story of Santa Clauswith Betty White and 2003’sElfwith Will Ferrell.
Over the past decade, Asner continued to act through his 80s into his early 90s. He would have roles on TV shows likeWorking Class,Michael, Tuesdays and Thursdays, andThe Good Wife. Last year, he appeared in an episode ofModern Familyand had a recurring role onBriarpatch. Asner also had sizable voice roles on the animated showsGargoyles,Spider-Man, andFreakazoid!. His final movie roles are for 2020’sM.O.M.: Mothers of MonstersandSenior Entourage.
As a prolific TV actor, Asner has been seen in many, many other notable TV shows over several decades. His other small screen credits includeThe Fugitive,Insight,Mission: Impossible,Police Story,Hawaii Five-O,Batman: The Animated Series,Animaniacs,Roseanne,The X-Files,The Simpsons, andCSI: NY.
Asner’s death comes just days before his last-ever role comes along in the new Disney+ seriesDug Days. Serving as a spinoff series toUp, the show brings back Asner to reprise the role of Carl, as he’d already completed all of his voice acting for the character. The series will debut on Disney+ on Sept. 1.
At this time, our thoughts are with Asner’s friends and family as they navigate through the pain of his passing. Through both comedy and drama, Asner has long been one of the finest actors of our time, and he will be badly misseed by many. May he rest in peace. This news comes to us fromDeadline.
