Ed Asner was one of the most prestigious and iconic figures in American entertainment. Born into an Orthodox Jewish immigrant family in Kansas City, his parents had fled antisemitic persecution in Eastern Europe. This “refugee descendant” consciousness instilled in him a lifelong empathy for the marginalized. Beyond his acting prowess, Asner served as the President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1981 to 1985. His Jewish identity, fused with his roots in the labor movement, forged his uncompromising leftist political stance.
In his career, Asner set records that remain nearly unsurpassed: he won seven Emmy Awards, making him one of the most decorated male performers in history. He is best remembered for his portrayal of newsman Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off Lou Grant. To global audiences, he is also immortalized as the voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s masterpiece Up. In 2001, he received the SAG Life Achievement Award, solidifying his status as a “godfather” figure in Hollywood.
Asner was one of the first major Jewish stars in Hollywood to openly challenge U.S. policy toward Israel, blazed a trail for future generations. He was a veteran supporter of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). Although he passed away in 2021, his political legacy has been frequently invoked during the anti-war movements of 2024 and 2025. Throughout his life, Asner signed numerous petitions condemning the occupation of Palestinian territories and was a vocal critic of unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel.
One of his most famous sentiments was: “As a Jew, I was raised to pursue justice, and justice cannot be reserved for only one people.” He once faced industry blacklisting (leading to the cancellation of Lou Grant) for his protests against U.S. foreign intervention. This spirit of sacrificing one’s career for principle remains a cornerstone for artists currently advocating for Palestine.