ACTOR · BORN 1929 · DIED 2021
Ed Asner
- Born
- 15 November 1929
- Died
- 29 August 2021
35 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
12 Facts About Ed Asner's Life and Family
- #002
Asner was the parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder and also the grandfather of an autistic grandchild. This personal experience raised his awareness of autism and shaped his advocacy work in the field. The situation in his family also informed his social sensitivity and the importance he placed on the rights of people with disabilities.
- #003
After the death of his Mary Tyler Moore Show co-star Gavin MacLeod on May 29, 2021, Ed Asner shared an emotional farewell message on Twitter. In it he called MacLeod 'my brother, my partner in crime and my comedy conspirator,' adding, 'I'll see you soon Gavin. Tell the group I'll see them soon. Betty! It's just you and me now.' Only three months after this touching post, on August 29, 2021, Asner also passed away.
- #010
A longtime political activist, Ed Asner blamed CBS after Lou Grant (1977) was cancelled. Asner claimed that his public criticism of United States intervention in Central America led to the show's cancellation. The episode showed that he was not afraid to state his political views openly and that he was willing to risk his career for the values he believed in.
- #011
Ed Asner also delivered memorable voice performances in animation. In Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) he voiced Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson. He then voiced Peter Parker's uncle Ben Parker in The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008); Ben Parker's death is a turning point in Spider-Man's journey to becoming a superhero. These two important characters demonstrated Asner's talent and range in voice acting.
- #012
Ed Asner had ten grandchildren. His large family held an important place in his life and he took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren. Asner was known for the importance he placed on family ties, which also reflected his warm and affectionate personality.
- #013
In 1987, Ed Asner had a son named Charles with Carol Jean Vogelman. This child was Asner's only child from his third marriage. Asner's experience of fatherhood was an important turning point in his private life and showed his devotion to his family.
- #023
Gavin Newsom, the nephew of Ed Asner's wife, rose to important positions in politics. He was elected mayor of San Francisco in 2003 and held the office from 2004 to 2011. In 2010 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of California, taking office in 2011 and remaining in the post until January 2019. In 2018 he was elected Governor of California and took office in January 2019. Asner's family ties also reflected his connections to political circles.
- #026
Ed Asner was a longtime supporter of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a member of the Black Panther Party and a radical activist. Abu-Jamal had been controversially convicted of killing a police officer. Asner believed in Abu-Jamal's innocence and opposed the death penalty. This stance revealed his sensitivity to human rights and justice.
- #028
Ed Asner was Jules Asner's father-in-law from 1992 to 1996. Jules Asner was a television host and former model. This family tie was part of Asner's wide social circle in Hollywood and showed how intertwined his relationships in the industry were.
- #029
Ed Asner was the father of three children named Matthew Asner, Liza Asner and Kate Asner. He was also the uncle of the famous photographer Mark Seliger. Asner's family held an important place in his life, and his relationship with his children reflected his affectionate and protective character.
- #031
Ed Asner was the last surviving original cast member of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970). Other actors from the series, such as Gavin MacLeod, Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White, had died before him. Asner's death meant that the main cast of this legendary series was entirely gone, a great loss for its fans.
- #035
Ed Asner attended the private funeral of Mary Tyler Moore's son Richard Meeker in 1980. This attendance was a sign of the close friendship between Asner and Moore. Asner was known as a person who did not fail to stand by his friends in difficult times.
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