Edward
Asner is an American actor, best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Lou
Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and the spin-off series, Lou Grant.
He received 7 Emmys and 5 Golden Globe Awards, and many more nominations, for
his numerous appearances in TV and film roles, as well as lending his voice to
many cartoon characters. Edward Asner has also distinguished himself as a writer,
producer and political and social activist. In the 1980s, he was elected twice
by his peers as president of the Screen Actor's Guild.
Edward
Asner has been an outspoken advocate for numerous social causes, including the
Reagan Administration's support of death squads in Central America during the
1980s, and the current Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. He has narrated
a number of documentaries that promote his passion for a better world, including,
Legacy for Efrain, about the world hunger organization, Heifer International,
and The Oil factor: Behind the War on Terror. Edward Asner
has also been an ardent supporter of animal rights and freedom of speech, served
as a spokesperson for Racism Watch, and is actively involved in the campaign to
create a cabinet level US Department of Peace.
