Ed Asner
ActingAbout Ed Asner
Edward Asner (November 15, 1929 – August 29, 2021), commonly known as Ed Asner, was an American film, television, stage, and voice actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild, primarily known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Lou Grant on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off series, Lou Grant. In 2009, he starred as the voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's award-winning animated film, Up. In early 2011, Asner returned to television as butcher Hank Greziak in Working Class, the first original sitcom on cable channel CMT.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ed Asner reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: TV Movie
The majority of Ed Asner's filmography leans towards the TV Movie genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ed Asner remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Crab Orchard, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Ed Asner Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ed Asner's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ed Asner.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Carl's Date | Carl (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | Grandpa Heffley (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | Back Home Again | Peter Lionsbridge (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Soul | 22 "I could sound like this if I wanted to" (voice) (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | SEVEN | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Faith, Hope & Love | Harry Karetas | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Olympia | Himself | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | All of My Heart: The Wedding | Vern | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | LA DA Story | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | All of My Heart: Inn Love | Vern | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Best Democracy Money Can Buy | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | Love Meet Hope | Mr. James | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | A Merry Murdoch Christmas | Kris Kringle | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration | Self / Lou Grant (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | All of My Heart | Vern | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | I Know That Voice | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Saturday Night Live: Thanksgiving | Mr Wilson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Casting By | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Liberator | President Whitlock | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Too Big to Fail | Warren Buffett | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Architects & Engineers: Solving the Mystery of WTC 7 | Himself | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | All Star Superman | Perry White (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Superman/Batman: Apocalypse | Granny Goodness (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2009 | Dug's Special Mission | Carl Fredricksen (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2009 | Up | Carl Fredricksen (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Generation Gap | Bart Cahill | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Crab Orchard | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Spider-Man: The Venom Saga | J. Jonah Jameson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock | J Jonah Jameson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Daredevil vs. Spider-Man | J. Jonah Jameson (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown | J. Jonah Jameson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Pope John XXIII | Angelo Roncalli | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Our Friend, Martin | Mr. Harris (voice) (as Ed Asner) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | The Long Way Home | George Patton / Immigrant to USA / David Ben-Gurion / Holocaust Survivor (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | JFK | Guy Bannister | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus | Edward P. Mitchell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Joshua and the Battle of Jericho | Joshua (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Vital Signs | Matthew St James | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Night of 100 Stars II | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Americas in Transition | Narrator | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Marva Collins Story | Narrator (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | A Small Killing | Simon Shaber | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | The Last Child | Barstow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | House on Greenapple Road | Sheriff Muntz | Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | El Dorado | Bart Jason | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Slender Thread | Det. Judd Ridley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Night America Trembled | 3rd Actor (as Edward Asner) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Defender (Studio One) | Juror (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Ed Asner - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Ed Asner?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ed Asner is "Crab Orchard" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Ed Asner acted in?
Ed Asner has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Ed Asner?
Other notable films include "Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration", "LA DA Story", and "The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series".