Film and TV legend Ed Asner died on Sunday (August 29) at the age of 91. His family shared the news of his passing in a short and simple message on social media.
“We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully,” the statement read. “Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.”
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
The Emmy-winning actor was known for playing Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and on its spin-off series named after the character. Though those in younger generations best know Asner for playing Santa in Elf and for voicing Carl Frederickson in the heartwarming Pixar film Up.
Tributes to Asner filled social media as more people learned about his death. One of the most touching tributes came from Melissa Peterman, the actress known for playing Barbara Jean on the Reba sitcom.
Peterman shared two photos of her and Asner together. One of the photos shows Peterman dressed as Mary Tyler Moore while Asner pointed in her direction.
She fondly remembered the veteran actor, who she worked with on the CMT sitcom Working Class. The show premiered in 2011 and only lasted for one season:
“…getting to work with Ed Asner on ‘Working Class’ was a dream come true. Doing scenes with him was terrifying in the best way. He was hilarious, smart, gruff, kind, opinionated and I wanted to hear every story he wanted to tell,” Peterman said.
Peterman also remembered how she would bring her son to visit Asner, and how sweet he was with him:
“He let me and a just 5yr old Riley visit him and bring him lunch at his home many times,” she said. “He let Riley look at his ‘Up’ mementoes (some of which I’m sure were priceless) and never flinched even when he wanted to touch one of his Emmy’s…I would joke he had so many he could afford to break a few. “
You can read Peterman’s touching tribute to Asner below. You can tell how much she’ll miss him.