Ed Asner, Award-Winning Actor Who Played Lou Grant, Dies At 91

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Ed Asner arrives during the 82nd Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on March 7, 2010. Asner, the blustery but lovable Lou Grant in two successful television series, died at 91.

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Lindsay Wagner, left, Ed Asner, center, and Nancy Marchand pose at the 30th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, in Pasadena, Calif., in 1978. Asner won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Lou Grant.

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Actors Ed Asner, left and Dennis Weaver stand on a picket line in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, 1978 as some 70,000 actors and announcers who make radio and television commercials went on strike. Asner served as president of the union for two terms.

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Actors Ed Asner, left and Dennis Weaver stand on a picket line in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, 1978 as some 70,000 actors and announcers who make radio and television commercials went on strike. Asner served as president of the union for two terms.

Joanie/AP

Asner was born in Kansas City, Mo. and briefly attended the University of Chicago before being drafted into the Army in 1951, serving in France. After his service ended, he acted in several plays in Chicago and New York, including the Broadway play Threepenny Opera.

Shortly before his death, Asner did an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in which he discussed his acting career, the COVID-19 pandemic and even his views on the Biden administration.

When asked what remained on his bucket list, Asner had his family in mind.

«I haven’t climbed Suribachi! No, I think just ensuring that I’ve left enough for the family.