Edward Asner

Born in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 15, 1929, Ed Asner is best known for his 15-year run as curmudgeonly newsman Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-77) and the subsequent spin-off, "Lou Grant" (1977-82), a role that earned the actor countless awards and nominations, including five Emmys and three Golden Globes.

Asner returned to series television in the '90s with supporting roles on shows such as "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" (1991-92) and "Hearts Afire" (1992-93) and even reteamed with Mary Tyler Moore for the TV movie Payback (1997). He also ventured into feature films, most notably as private investigator Guy Bannister in Oliver Stone's JFK (1991) and as Santa Claus in the Christmas comedy Elf (2003).

Later work includes an occasional appearance on the drama series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (2006) and an Emmy-nominated supporting role in the TV movie The Christmas Card.

Filmography