find us on:
Lou Grant
Background:
American actor Ed Asner reached the pinnacle of his fame as the crabby Lou Grant
in the sitcom “Mary Tyler Moore” (1970-1974), a role which garnered him two Emmy
Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, four Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe
nominations. Several years later, he skillfully recreated the role in the CBS
drama series “Lou Grant” (1977-1982) and collected two Emmy Awards and three
Emmy nominations. Asner also portrayed Lou Grant in an episode of “Roseanne”
(1996). Other notable performances by Asner could be found in the miniseries
“Rich Man, Poor Man” (1976), the miniseries “Roots” (1977), the TV legal drama A
Case of Libel (1983), “The Trials of Rosie O’Neill” (1991-1992) and “Center of
the Universe” (2004-2005).
Asner, whose wife’s nephew was a mayor of San Francisco, is outspoken about his
political and social views. While serving as the president of SAG, he opposed
the United States’ policy in Central America. He became a prominent member of
the Democratic Socialists of America and a supporter of the group Black Panther
and radical activist Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Asner has done several reviews for 9/11 literature and videos and recently urged
the disclosure of all hidden facts through an organization called the “9-11
Visibility Project.” He also served as the spokesman for 2004 Racism Watch and
narrated the documentary film The Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror (2005).
In November 2006, the actor spoke about the damaging impact of Greenhouse
Emissions at the San Francisco Auto Show. He took part in the launching of ZAP’s
one-million-tree planting international campaign.
The ex-husband of Nancy Sykes (1959-1988), Asner has three children: twins
Matthew-Liza and Kate, from the marriage. The actor, who also has a son with
Carol Jean Vogelman, is now married to Cindy Gilmore.
Tonight at Eight-Thirty
Childhood and Family:
Born on November 15, 1929, in Kansas City, Edward Asner began acting while
studying at the University of Chicago in Illinois. As a member of the college’s
drama club “Tonight at Eight-Thirty,” he often worked with future acclaimed
director Mike Nichols. After serving two years in the Army in France, Edward
pursued his theatrical aspirations on Chicago and New York stages. Several years
later, he moved to Hollywood to build a screen career.
Edward, who has a son named Charles (born in 1987) with former partner Carol
Jean Vogelman, was married to Nancy Sykes from March 1959 to 1988. They share
three children, Matthew and Liza (twins) and Kate. Now, Edward is married to
Cindy Gilmore. He was also the father-in-law of model/TV personality Jules Asner,
who married his son Matthew (1992-1996).
Rich Man, Poor Man
Career:
From the role of Thomas Beckett in the college production of “Murder in the
Cathedral,” Ed Asner moved on to a Chicago troupe called the Playwrights’
Theater Club, with whom he made some early professional performances. Relocating
to New York, he appeared in numerous off-Broadway productions and New York
Shakespeare Festivals. Asner’s notable New York stage stints included his role
as Mr. Peacham in the revival of “The Threepenny Opera” and his performance
opposite Jack Lemmon in the Broadway staging of “Face of a Hero” (1960).
Asner, who formerly took a part in the series “Studio One” (1957), moved to
Hollywood and began acquiring more screen roles, such as Busti in “Naked City”
(1961), Assistant District Attorney Frank Gerson in his movie debut Kid Galahad
(1962, unaccredited), multiple roles in “The Untouchables” (4 episodes,
1962-1963) and Sergeant Slade in “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre”
(1964). Taking supporting roles, the new actor worked with Sidney Poitier in The
Slender Thread (1965), John Wayne in El Dorado (1966) and Robert Vaughn in The
Venetian Affair (1967).
After several guest appearances, including one in “The Wild Wild West” (1968),
Asner worked with Mary Tyler Moore in the drama movie Change of Habit (1969, was
cast as Lt. Moretti). The collaboration continued in the long-running CBS sitcom
“Mary Tyler Moore” (1970-1974). Thanks to his hilarious performance as Lou
Grant, the grumpy boss of Moore’s character, Asner quickly received two Emmys
and two Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor. In addition, he received four
other Emmy and three Golden Globe nominations. While filming the series, Asner
was also seen in the comedy They Call Me MISTER Tibbs (1970), the crime drama
The Todd Killings (1971), the TV thriller Haunts of the Very Rich (1972), the TV
cop movie The Police Story (1973), the action film The Wrestler (1974, starred
as Frank Bass) and the adventurous Hey, I’m Alive (1975, TV).
Working in a miniseries, Asner carried out the role of Axel Jordache in the
720-minute drama “Rich Man, Poor Man” (1976), alongside Peter Strauss, Nick
Nolte and Susan Blakely. Eventually, his superb acting in the miniseries brought
in an Emmy for Best Lead Actor and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. The
actor next took home another Emmy, this time for Best Supporting Actor, after
portraying Captain Thomas Davies in the historical miniseries “Roots” (1977).
Reprising his comedic role, Asner successfully headlined the CBS drama series
“Lou Grant” (1977-1982), which chronicled Lou Grant’s life as the editor of an
L.A. newspaper. He later picked up two Emmy and two Golden Globe’s Best Actor
awards, as well as three Emmy and three Golden Globe nominations. The
achievement also made Asner the only actor to win Emmys for playing the same
character both in a comedy series and a drama show.
Subsequent to his fine portrayal of attorney Robert Sloane in the TV legal drama
A Case of Libel (1983), the performer was involved in the short-lived ABC sitcom
“Off the Rack” (1984, as Sam Waltman) and re-teamed with Peter Strauss in the
miniseries “Tender Is the Night” (1985, adapted from the novel by F. Scott
Fitzgerald). Asner, who from 1981 to 1985 was the president of the Screen Actors
Guild, also worked in such small screen projects as Kate’s Secret (1986, TV),
“The Bronx Zoo” (1987) and A Friendship in Vienna (1988, TV).
Asner briefly resurfaced on stage with a role opposite Madeline Kahn in the
Broadway revival of “Born Yesterday” (1989). On TV, the actor voiced the
pig-like villain Hoggish Greedly in the pro-environmental animated series
“Captain Planet and the Planeteers” (1990), played Guy Bannister in Oliver
Stone’s acclaimed “JFK” (1991) and joined the cast of the drama series “The
Trials of Rosie O’Neill” (1991-1992), as Walter Kovacs. His fine supporting turn
in the latter show was soon given an Emmy nomination.
Later, Asner’s voice could be heard as Chief Abalone in “Fish Police” (1992),
Scowl the Owl in the film Happily Ever After (1993) and Roland Dagget in five
episodes of “Batman” series (1992-1994). From 1994 to 1995, Asner appeared as
retired stockcar racer Gil Jones in the ABC sitcom “Thunder Alley.”
The prolific actor next revisited his Lou Grant role in an episode of “Roseanne”
(1996) and re-teamed with Mary Tyler Moore in his self-produced TV drama Payback
(1997, starred as Jack Patkanis). He also co-starred with Tom Selleck in the CBS
comedy “The Closer” (1998), lent his voice for the Editor in an episode of “The
Simpsons” (1999) and voiced Fixer in the video game Buzz Lightyear of Star
Command (2000).
Subsequent to his roles in the short film Fair Play (2002) and “ER” (2003), the
veteran actor shared the screen with John Goodman and Olympia Dukakis in the
sitcom “Center of the Universe” (2004-2005), playing Art Barnett. Recently, he
was cast as Luke in the TV holiday film The Christmas Card (2006).
“I found it very easy (in the movie) to accept the fact that this rootless,
alone soldier got this card, and it reminded him of all the beautiful things he
left behind. I certainly would accept a card if I were a soldier marooned in an
action area. Having lost friends, feeling lonely and alone, yes, I certainly
would accept a card.” Ed Asner on his role in The Christmas Card (2006)
Asner is currently filming the drama series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”
(series began in 2006) with the recurring role of Wilson White. Asner also
participated in several postponed projects, such as the political film The
Commission (supposed to be released in 2003, stars Martin Landau and Martin
Sheen), the comedy Hard Four (2005) and Once in a Lifetime: Just Go for It
(2006).
The actor will provide his voice for Krad in the musical animation film
Christmas Is Here Again (2007), where he also sings “I Stole Santa’s Sack” and
“I’m Evil.” His costars include Kathy Bates, Madison Davenport, Brad Garrett,
Andy Griffith and Jay Leno.
Awards:
