Eddie Asner, the husky and prolific character actor who was propelled to international stardom by the irascible but lovable newsman Lou Grant in the sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and the drama "Lou Grant", passed away yesterday at the age of 91.
(RVO)
Asner's official Twitter account included a note from his children, "We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel."
The nonagenarian Asner used to be a journeyman actor in films and TV when he was first hired back in 1970 to play Lou Grant on the aforementioned sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He played the rumpled boss to Moore's ebullient Mary at the fictional Minneapolis TV newsroom where both worked.
Later, he played the same role for five years in the drama "Lou Grant."
Asner is the third "Mary Tyler Moore" actors to die in recent months. His death followed Cloris Leachman's, who played Mary's neighbours, and Gavin MacLeod's, who played Murray Slaughter, the sarcastic news writer.
The 99-year-old Betty White, who was cast as the manipulative, is the lone surviving main cast member from the sitcom.
Asner won 3 best supporting actor Emmy awards on "Mary Tyler Moore and two best actor awards on "Lou Grant." He also won Emmys for his roles in the miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" in 1975-1976, and "Roots" in 1976-1977.
Despite having been active throughout his 70s and 80s, he admitted interesting roles were hard to come by.
He remained politically active for during his acting career.
Asner had two marriages, and is survived by four children. He was 91.
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