Ed Asner

Featured in:
The Final Interrogation of Ceaucescu’s Dog by Warren Leight
New York Story by Mike Reiss

Asner is currently touring the country as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the critically acclaimed one man show FDR, which has been running for over three years.

Asner most recently completed guest star appearances on the CBS primetime series “Hawaii Five-O,” a guest spot on TV Land’s “Hot In Cleveland” with Betty White, and a guest starring role on the ABC series “The Middle,” and went on to guest star as Henry Winkler’s father on USA Network’s “Royal Pains.”

Asner stars opposite Carol Kane in the upcoming indie feature film Should’ve Been Romeo. Asner recently portrayed Warren Buffet in the critically acclaimed HBO telefilm drama Too Big To Fail, starring William Hurt, Paul Giamatti, James Woods, Topher Grace and Tony Shalhoub and directed by Curtis Hanson.

Asner is best known for his comedic and dramatic crossover as the gruff but soft-hearted journalist Lou Grant, the role he originated on the landmark TV news room comedy “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and continued in the newspaper-set drama “Lou Grant,” which earned him five Emmys and three Golden Globe Awards. Asner received two more Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for the mini-series “Rich Man, Poor Man” and “Roots.”

One of the most honored actors in the history of television, Edward Asner has been the recipient of seven Emmy Awards and 16 nominations, as well as five Golden Globe Awards and served as National President of the Screen Actors Guild for two terms. He was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame in 1996. Asner received the Ralph Morgan Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2000, presented periodically for distinguished service to the Guild’s Hollywood membership. In March 2002, he was again honored by The Guild as the 38th recipient of the prestigious Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment, presented annually to an actor who fosters the highest ideals of the profession.

In addition to his professional versatility, Edward Asner has consistently served and committed himself to the rights of the working performer in addition to advocating for human rights, world peace, environmental preservation and political freedom. A passionate and informed spokesperson for the causes he supports, Asner is a frequent speaker on labor issues and a particular ally for the acting industry’s older artists. Some of the many honors he has received throughout his career include the Anne Frank Human Rights Award, The Eugene Debs Award, Organized Labor Publications Humanitarian Award, ACLU’s Worker’s Right’s Committee Award and the National Emergency Civil Liberties Award.

Edward Asner has more than 100 TV credits, which include starring in the series “Off the Rack,” “The Bronx Zoo,” and “Thunder Alley.” Numerous guest appearances include roles in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “ER,” “Arliss,” “The Practice” and a recurring role on “Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip.” Besides commercials and numerous books on tape, he has lent his voice to popular cartoon shows such as “The Simpsons,” “Spiderman,” and “Boondocks.” Asner’s dozens of motion pictures include They Call Me Mister Tibbs!, Fort Apache the Bronx, JFK, and the European production of Giovanni XXIII – the highest rated television mini-series in the history of Italian TV, as well as the box office hit, Elf with Will Farrell and James Caan. Asner has done several Hallmark movies and was nominated for another Emmy for The Christmas Card in addition to his Emmy nominated guest appearance on “CSI/NY.”