Pixar’s ‘Up’ actor Ed Asner passes away

Pixar’s ‘Up’ actor Ed Asner passes away

Acting legend Ed Asner passes away at the age of 91 on Sunday, 29 August. He is best-known for playing fictional TV newsman Lou Grant. The character of Lou Grant, the irascible editor of the fictional Los Angeles Tribune, later became a character in a show in his own right from 1977 to 1982.

The role helped earn Asner seven Emmy awards across his career, a record for a male performer.

Asner is popular to younger audiences for his role as Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s Up, where he played the bellicose old man who tied hundreds of balloons to his home and set off on an adventure with Doug the dog and “Junior Wilderness Explorer” Russell. Asner died on Sunday morning surrounded by his family.

Asner’s major break as an actor was the Mary Tyler Moore Show, which ran from 1970 to 1977. Asner played the grumpy newsroom producer Lou Grant, Moore’s boss.Asner bagged three Emmy awards for best-supporting actor for his role on the show. He also won two Emmy awards for his work on Rich Man, Poor Man, and Roots. Asner appeared as Santa in Will Ferrel’s Elf.

Asner is survived by his four children.

“Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head – goodnight dad. We love you.”

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who worked on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, was among those who paid tribute to Asner on Twitter.

“A great man…a great actor… a great life. Thank you Mr. Asner. #RIP,” Hamill said.

Comedy actor Ben Stiller added: “Sending love to the great Ed Asner’s family. An icon because he was such a beautiful, funny and totally honest actor. No one like him.”