With seven Emmy Awards (the record for a male actor) and 20 nominations on a long list of achievements, it is no surprise that Edward “Ed” Asner is still challenging the norms in an ever-changing entertainment industry.
During a one-night only special performance, Asner took to the stage with writer, director and longtime friend Mark Rydell for a two-man performance of “Oxymorons” at the Malibu Playhouse on Saturday, May 2.
Originally billed as one of three one-act plays derived from “Plays in the Park,” Asner and Rydell teamed up with writer and director Brian Connors to bring the warm-hearted tale of the trials of sibling rivalry to the stage.
“We’ve done it a number of times before … and I’m wonderful in it,” Asner joked during an interview with The Malibu Times.
After years in the industry together, the three men first created “Good Men,” a 12-minute film centered around an argument between two Jewish friends over the Holocaust and controversial allegations surrounding the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Screened to audiences all over the world, the successful drama won the award for best short at The Los Angeles Arthouse Film Festival in 2012 and was the official selection of numerous film festivals around the country.
“We thought of ‘Oxymorons’ [from] the success from the showing,” Asner said. “People really enjoyed our readings of that.”
And Asner has enjoyed every minute of honing his craft and creating a voice that resonates through decades of experience.
The former president of the Screen Actors Guild has had his hands in almost every facet of the industry, including playing the stern, but kind-hearted television news producer Lou Grant in the 1970-77 television sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and later, an hour-long, journalism drama spin-off based on his character’s namesake, “Lou Grant” that scored him five Emmy Awards and a host of additional nods.
Asner loved playing the role of Grant and identified with the charming, work-driven character.
“At least 50% of people recognize me for that role,” Asner said. “It put me on the map and I’m forever grateful for that.”
Asner credits more recent roles on popular television shows “The Good Wife” and “Criminal Minds” to “the wonderful writing,” which allows him the opportunity to dive into new characters.
Years of voice-over work have only helped Asner further his reach into the hearts of homes, including voicing the character Carl Fredricksen in the Academy Award-winning Pixar film “Up.”
Accolades and accomplishments aside, the father of four took on the most important role in his career when son Charles was diagnosed with autism (and later, when Asner’s grandson was also diagnosed with the disorder) and Asner became a lifetime advocate, championing for autism awareness.
“We were running into problems in terms of schooling and it wasn’t until he was about age six or seven that we finally realized we had to have testing,” Asner said.
Asner sought help with testing through UCLA Medical Center and “they returned with the conclusion that he was autistic.”
Instead of fearing the worst from the diagnosis, Asner sat down with his son and started working on phonics and math until “he got up to speed for his age.”
“Then we got him into a good public school and kept working on improving his grades with his teachers,” Asner said. “It was something of a battle, but we achieved it.”
Charles’ fight to progress through his diagnosis was unwavering. Not only did Charles earn a college degree from Southern Connecticut State University (where Asner was the commencement speaker and had the honor of handing his son his diploma during the ceremony), he also inspired activism throughout the Asner family.
Asner’s first son Matthew became director of corporate development for Autism Speaks, “the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families,” according to its mission statement.
On May 20, Asner will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award for his advocating efforts during “Temple Grandin & Friends,” a musical celebration at Club Nokia, benefiting Autism Works Now.
The ceremony is also slated to celebrate and support job opportunities for individuals diagnosed with autism and related disorders and will also honor the work of Dr. Temple Grandin and Matthew Asner, with “American Idol” alumni James Durbin headlining the event.
With appearances scheduled throughout the country over the next year, including speaking engagements and his fourth year of performing the one-man show “FDR” (based on Dore Schary’s Broadway hit “Sunrise at Campobello”), Asner’s star is still shining as bright as ever.
“I ain’t stopped yet,” Asner said.
For more information regarding Autism Works Now, including how to purchase tickets to the “Temple Grandin & Friends” event, click here.
