Ed Asner Tribute

Written By Jason Lockard

Edward Asner was born November 15th, 1929 in Kansas City, Mo. He is probably best known for his role as Lou Grant in the Mary Tyler Moore Show and the spin-off series Lou Grant. Beyond that he was an acclaimed actor winning 7 Emmy Awards and even serving as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-85.

After serving his country in the armed forces Ed Asner would start his career in acting with theater work. It wasn't long after that he would find work on TV and in film. Finding much success with his mini-series such as 1976s Rich Man, Poor Man and 1977s Roots. He would also star alongside John Wayne in the 1966 film El Dorado. 

As a small child I remember watching Ed Asner as Lou Grant dealing with Mary, Murray and the egotistical and yet somewhat inept anchorman Ted Baxter. Now every time I re-watch an episode I recall those great memories with my dad and mom.

But as an avid film and TV fan I am always looking for films and TV shows I haven't seen. I remember hearing about a rarity featuring Ed Asner entitled The Wrestler from 1974. I wanted to see this one, but could never find it! That is until one fateful afternoon I happened into a Dollar General and just walked past a DVD stand and there is was on DVD. My heart leapt with joy especially when it was just $1.

The Wrestler is nothing like the 2008 Mickey Rourke film directed by Darren Aronofsky of the same name, that you may have heard or seen. This is a more real story about corruption and deceit in the wrestling industry.



The film follows the inside of wrestling industry. As wrestlers and promoters are corrupting the sport and trying to make a crooked profit off of the sport, Frank Bass (Ed Asner), a wrestling promoter set out on a mission to make 'the game' to be as fair and honest as possible.

This film was produced long before the truth of the sport came out and is quite the interesting take on a the business. Ed Asner stars in the film, but is joined by wrestling legends, "Lord" James Blears, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Dick Murdoch, Dusty Rhodes, Don Muraco, The Crusher, The Bruiser, Chief Wahoo McDaniels, Billy Robinson and Verne Gagne.

I have seen so many Ed Asner films and TV shows over my years, but for me The Wrestler and The Mary Tyler Moore Show will always stand out as my favorite of his roles.

Asner was a political activist. He served on the Entertainment Board of Directors for The Survivor Mitzvah Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct emergency aid to elderly and impoverished Holocaust survivors in Eastern Europe. He also was a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and a supporter of Humane Borders.

In 1996 Ed Asner took his much deserved rightful place in the TV Academy Hall of Fame. On August 29th 2021 Ed Asner passed away of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 91. He will be remembered for all his amazing roles in film and TV. He has left a legacy of entertainment few can match.

Rest In Peace Ed Asner.