Edward Asner

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Edward Asner

Edward Asner

Photo credit: 
Everett Collection

Edward Asner

Date of Birth: November 15, 1929
Date of Passing: August 29, 2021
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
Obituary: Hollywood Reporter

Edward Asner was an American actor.

He is primarily known for his role as Lou Grant during the 1970s and early 1980s, on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off series Lou Grant, making him one of the few television actors to portray the same leading character in both a comedy and a drama.

Asner was acclaimed for his role in the ABC miniseries Roots, as Captain Davies, the morally conflicted captain of the Lord Ligonier, the slave ship that brought Kunta Kinte to America. That role earned Asner an Emmy Award, as did the similarly dark role of Axel Jordache in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man.

Edward Asner was an American actor.

He is primarily known for his role as Lou Grant during the 1970s and early 1980s, on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off series Lou Grant, making him one of the few television actors to portray the same leading character in both a comedy and a drama.

Asner was acclaimed for his role in the ABC miniseries Roots, as Captain Davies, the morally conflicted captain of the Lord Ligonier, the slave ship that brought Kunta Kinte to America. That role earned Asner an Emmy Award, as did the similarly dark role of Axel Jordache in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man.

He is also known for portraying Santa Claus in the comedy film Elf and its animated remake Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas.

He is the most honored male performer in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, having won seven.

Asner served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Edward Asner was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1996.

Asner died August 29, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. He was 91.

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Awards & Nominations

17 Nominations | 7 Emmys | 1 Honor
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series - 2009
  • Nominee
  • Edward Asner, as Abraham Klein
  • CSI: NY
  • "Yahrzeit"
  • CBS
  • CBS Television Studios/Jerry Bruckheimer Television
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie - 2007
  • Nominee
  • Edward Asner, as Luke Spelman
  • The Christmas Card
  • Hallmark
  • RHI Entertainment presents an Alpine Medien Production in association with Larry Levinson Productions
Hall of Fame - 1996
  • Winner
  • Edward Asner, as Honoree

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Ed Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Knight
The cast of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Fill 1
Fill 1
25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

Ed Asner at the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California on January 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
Ed Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Knight
Camera

Ed Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, and Ted Knight at the 28th Emmy Awards. They all received Emmys at that event.

PictureGroup/Invision
The cast of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Camera
Mathew Imaging
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