Television legend Ed Asner, who won two Emmy Awards for his supporting actor role alongside Mary Tyler Moore, died Sunday (August 29) at the age of 91.
His passing was announced by his family who posted to Twitter saying, “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.”
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
Asner won a total of seven Emmy Awards over the course of his career, but is perhaps best known to the current generation as the grumpy Santa in the 2003 movie “Elf” and for lending his voice to the role of grieving widower Carl Fredricksen in the heartfelt 2009 animated movie “Up.” His career spanned more than 60 years and included work on Broadway, television and film. His ability to perform roles in both comedies and dramas made him one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood.
Asner’s representative, Charles Sherman, told NBC News in a statement Sunday that he “passed away today peacefully surrounded by family.”
Asner had four children: Matthew, Kate and Liza Asner with first wife, Nancy Sykes; and Charles Asner, a son he had with then-partner Carol Vogelman.