Hollywood legend Ed Asner passed away Sunday surrounded by his family and friends. He was 91.
“We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully,” the actor’s family shared on Twitter. The comments were noted by the Wrap.
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
“Words cannot express the sadness we feel,” the statement added. “With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.” (RELATED: Mary Tyler Moore Dead At 80)
Ed Asner Dies: TV Icon Who Played Lou Grant Was 91 https://t.co/peSwwrs6M4
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 29, 2021
The actor career in Hollywood took off after he took on the role of Lou Grant in the hit 70s sitcoms “Mary Tyler Moore,” across from late actress Mary Tyler Moore. And the spinoff series titled “Lou Grant.” (RELATED: These Are 10 Of Mary Tyler Moore’s Most Memorable Moments On TV And Film)
Asner, formerly the President of the Screen Actors Guild, holds the honor of the being the most awarded male performer in Emmy history with seven wins, Deadline magazine noted.
The actor was known for both his work on the small screen as well as the big screen, most notably the playing the part of Jolly Old St. Nicholas in the classic Christmas movie “Elf.” He also gave life to the old man in the Pixar hit “Up,” voicing the character Carl Fredricksen.
Shortly after news surfaced of his death, tributes to the Hollywood icon surfaced on social media.
Oh Ed Asner Rest In Peace and power friend. what a truly good and honorable human you were .gratitude for all you did for the screen Actors Guild ,when it was a true Union bless you. @Frances_Fisher @EllenBarkin
— rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) August 29, 2021
Ed Asner… what a loss. A phenomenal career, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant to voicing Carl in Up. To me though he’ll always be the iconic voice of J Jonah Jameson in the 1990s Spider-Man animated series. pic.twitter.com/MyCfH9gb1l
— Morgan Jeffery (@morganjeffery) August 29, 2021
Ed Asner was a difficult dude, a grump, a shittalker, and one of the primary reasons actors have health benefits.
Miss you already, Ed. Rest In Power https://t.co/BIuwRhXW9j
— Andy Cobb (@AndyCobb) August 29, 2021
Ed Asner won seven Emmys, helped organize a labor strike, played Santa Claus, voiced a Jedi, and that’s maybe like 2% of the things he did. Absolute legend. https://t.co/qlh6vz7gQe
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) August 29, 2021
Ed is survived by four children, Variety reported.