Ed Asner, Legendary TV Icon On ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ ‘Lou Grant,’ Dies At 91
Edward Asner, known as the grumpy but loveable newsman Lou Grant from TheΒ Mary Tyler Moore ShowΒ and Lou GrantΒ has died at 91, his publicist confirmed.
Charles Sherman, Asner’s publicist, told USA TODAY that he died early Sunday morning in his home surrounded by his family.
“We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morningΒ peacefully,” the tweet read from Asner’s official Twitter account.Β “Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head β Goodnight dad. We love you.”
We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) August 29, 2021
He is a seven-time Emmy winner, five of which were won for playing Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and from his drama series spin-off Lou Grant. Per USA TODAY, Asner was the first actor to win Emmys for playing the same character in two different genres: comedy and drama. The other two Emmys were won from his roles in the historical-drama miniseries Roots and Rich Man, Poor Man.
After making a name for himself in some of television history’s most iconic roles, Asner moved onto the big screen in the 2003 Christmas classicΒ ElfΒ and laterΒ lending his voice to Pixar’sΒ UpΒ as Carl Fredericksen, the frugal but later loveable widower in 2009.
In more recent years he made his return to television starring in Netflix’s Dead to Me and,Β after reaching 90, he appeared in “Blue Bloods,” “Modern Family” and “Cobra Kai.”
Fans are mourning the loss of the legendary actor:
Sending love and solidarity, thank you for your service to the working class, Ed pic.twitter.com/g55u2mUQT5
— Brett "Solidarity 2024" Banditelli (@banditelli) August 29, 2021
— MED (@medowlen_78) August 29, 2021
A good man.
— Frank Amari (@FrankAmari2) August 29, 2021
"There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, at no time, should go hungry."
~ Ed Asner
Iβm so sorry to hear of the passing of Ed Asner. My thoughts are with both friends and family at this very sad time. #RIPEdAsner ππ» pic.twitter.com/JFkISOLvee
— Lorrie Leaver (@lorrie_e) August 29, 2021
What a beautiful man. I'm so sorry. All my love & deepest condolences β€οΈππ»
— William Zabka (@WilliamZabka) August 29, 2021
https://twitter.com/brontyman/status/1432038776046456832
Oh no, I'm so sad about this. Ed was a national treasure. Asner family, please accept my sincere condolences and I hope you can find solace in the knowledge that he was dearly loved by all of us. πππΊπΈ
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) August 29, 2021
