Ed Asner
Ed Asner
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Ed Asner's full name is Edward John Asner. He is often referred to as "Louie", a nickname that originated from his portrayal of Lou Grant in the popular television series.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Edward John Asner was born on July 15, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He passed away on August 29, 2021, at the age of 91.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Ed Asner holds American nationality and is a renowned actor, activist, and voice artist.
Early Life and Background
Asner grew up in a low-income household with his parents, David and Lula (née Zelinsky) Asner. He developed an early interest in acting while attending Kansas City's Barstow School for Girls, where he was encouraged by his English teacher to pursue theater. His family later relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where he began performing at the Goodman Theatre.
Major Accomplishments
Ed Asner achieved significant success throughout his career:
He is a five-time Emmy Award winner and has been nominated eight times.
He played the iconic role of Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) and its spin-off, Lou Grant (1977-1982), earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the fictional newspaper editor.
Asner voiced Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's animated film Up (2009), which earned him an Academy Award nomination.Notable Works or Actions
Asner was a dedicated activist and social advocate, often using his platform to address issues such as:
Labor rights: He served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985.
Civil liberties: Asner co-founded the Free Speech Movement at San Francisco State University.
Environmentalism: He voiced concerns about climate change and advocated for environmental protection.
Impact and Legacy
Ed Asner's contributions extend far beyond his professional achievements:
Inspirational role model: His portrayal of Lou Grant inspired a generation of actors, including notable figures such as James Lipton and Michael J. Fox.
Social impact: Through his activism, Asner raised awareness about important issues and sparked meaningful conversations.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ed Asner's enduring legacy is due to:
Authenticity: His dedication to authenticity in acting led to a more realistic portrayal of characters.
Social responsibility: By using his platform to advocate for social causes, he empowered audiences to take action.
Asner's commitment to excellence and social responsibility has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Quotes by Ed Asner
To my knowledge, there is no blacklist. But there is a mindset, even among liberal producers, that says 'He may be difficult, so let's avoid him.'
I’m not sought after. I never get enough work. It’s the history of my career. There just isn’t anything to turn down, let me put it that way.
I loved journalism until the day my journalism teacher, a man I revered, came by my desk and said, ‘Are you planning on going into journalism?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘I wouldn’t.’ I said, ‘Well, why not?’ He said, ‘You can’t make a living.’
To my knowledge, there is no blacklist. But there is a mindset, even among liberal producers, that says ‘He may be difficult so let’s avoid him.’
I can do lovers. I can do Sir Galahad types. I’m not going to limit myself in voice-overs to irascible old men.
Never thought acting was something you could make a living at. It wasn’t until I was in college, and got a lead in a play, that I began to realize I might just be able to blunder into this profession.
The older I’ve gotten, the more the need to exert comedy no matter how tragic a character I may be portraying because they are essentials for presenting truth.
They say making laws is like making sausages. You shouldn’t watch. It’s the same for acting, especially for the actor who works unconsciously.