By Mark Gray
8:19am PDT, Aug 30, 2021
Ed Asner, the legendary actor who starred on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Lou Grant," passed away on Aug. 29. He was 91. "We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully," his family said in a statement. "Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you." With a list of acting credits spanning eight decades, Ed, a dedicated philanthropist and women's rights activist, was one of the most respected actors of multiple generations. He's the most awarded male performer in Emmys history with seven trophies, and he has five Golden Globes to his name. The beloved star, whose film credits included "Up" and "Elf," was most recently seen on "Cobra Kai." He had "spunk" til the end. After his death, many in Hollywood publicly honored the icon on social media.
Click through to see how Ed Asner is being remembered by the entertainment world…
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"I am so sorry to hear that the great, magnanimous, talented and loving Ed Asner has passed. He leaves the world a better place for his having been in it!!" –Mira Sorvino
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"I was so lucky to get to work with the legendary #EdAsner – a truly great man. Love to his family and friends" –Haley Joel Osment
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"So sorry to hear this. One of the very best people. Rest In Peace dear #Edasner" –Peter Frampton
"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." –Rosanna Arquette
"A great man…a great actor… a great life. Thank you Mr. Asner. #RIP" –Mark Hamill
"Once in awhile in this business you meet a creative hero of yours who doesn't let you down. This was Ed Asner. His bravado; his incredible skills in both drama and comedy; his relentless pursuit of dignity and assistance for those in need and a trait I admire most- the ability to say exactly what the f–k he feels while still maintaining his immense humanity. He had it all and always gave it back. From one loud Jew to another, thank you for blazing the trail. With love and respect to you, your family and your community. The fight shall continue in your honor." –Brad Garrett
"Making my 1st film, Roger & Me, I was broke so I wrote to some famous people to ask for help. Only one responded: Ed Asner. 'I don't know you, kid, but here's 500 bucks' said the note attached to the check. 'Sounds like it'll be a great film. I was an autoworker once.' R.I.P. Ed" –Michael Moore
"I will always remember the story @NiecyNash told of his kindness to her when she was just starting out & how he then came to her #WalkOfFame Ceremony decades later." –Yvette Nicole Brown
"Had the privilege of locking eyes with #EdAsner on Studio 60 and it meant a lot to me because I grew up loving him and he was one of those rare actors who just shot straight. He couldn't help it. Rest In Peace, sir. Well done." –Bradley Whitford
"Oh this hurts. Rest In Peace Ed. Not only an iconic award winning actor but a humanitarian and someone who I worked closely with to support #Autism families. Just crushing. #EdAsner" –Holly Robinson Peete
"Ed Asner meant so much to so many for so many reasons. What a life. Colleague of my Dad, shepherded my Mom into the Union Presidency, whooped my a– at poker, fought against war & lies, fought a lifetime for our Union & stood up to it just the same. Sending love to his family." –Sean Astin
"Farewell #EdAsner, a wonderful man. He played my dad in the 1994 movie 'Heads.' He was so robust and smart and kind and funny. We all loved to hang out with him. Some people you think will just hang on forever, and he was one of them. RIP… My sister @meggamonstah has all the recordings of the Mary Tyler Moore show and we love to watch them. I'm always amazed at the brilliant comedic timing of Ed Asner. Nobody plays a lovable curmudgeon like he does. He is gruff & abrupt but his humanity shines through regardless." –Jennifer Tilly
"I am heartbroken to say goodbye to our friend #EdAsner who graced #CentralParkTV as the voice of Bitsy's brother Ambrose. He was a Legend, a beautiful soul and a truly brilliant actor. Love you sir! We will miss down here, but smiling that you are have fittingly gone Up." –Josh Gad
"Ed Asner's characters brought so much joy to so many for so long. Time determines icons and the decades solidified his place. RIP and thank you." –Paul Stanley
"Ed Asner was a fine man and a great actor. He was tough in the ways that count and suffered no fools. I acted with him just once and knew how lucky I was to do so. A hero. Rest in peace, Ed." –Michael McKean
"Got the pleasure of hanging and working with Ed Asner on my crackle show, #starving. A great actor, humanitarian and person. Grateful I knew him. Peace and Blessings to the Asner Family." –David Faustino
"Was having lunch at Jinkys in Studio City & #EdAsner was sitting behind me. I turned around & asked if I could join him, he said he'd love nothing better. We talked for 3 1/2 hrs & his bear hug at the end was in league with my dad's, who was famous 4 his. What a gift he was. #RIP" –Nancy Lee Grahn
"Ed Asner, who won seven Emmy awards including five for the unforgettable role of Lou Grant, has passed away. He was a giant on the screen, and a philanthropist, too. A man of true heart and talent. He will be missed." –George Takei
"Loved Ed Asner. RIP" –Marc Maron
"So sorry to read this #edasner RIP" –Roma Downey
"Darn it. He was the best of us. TRULY a great man. Please support the Ed Asner Family Center and Ed's legacy of good works. –Clancy Brown
"Ed Asner, a total mensch. RIP, dear man." –Brent Spiner
"So sorry to learn of Ed Asner's passing. I grew up watching Ed as Lou Grant, loved him as the voice of Carl Fredrickson in #Up and thought he was the best Santa the screen has ever seen in #Elf #RIPEdAsner" –Mick Foley
"We've lost one of the great humans. Ed Asner went from the over-the-top comedy of MTM, to taking the SAME character and making him the centerpiece of an underrated drama of 'Lou Grant.' I met him, where else, at a charity event. His life was charity #RIP" –Keith Olbermann
"What an actor. Loved him as Lou Grant." –Piers Morgan
