Minnesotans remember actor Ed Asner
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Many Minnesotans are remembering actor Ed Asner, who died Sunday morning surrounded by family at the age of 91.
The Emmy winner put a spotlight on Minneapolis with his portrayal of fictional news director Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
Artistic Director Katie O’Regan became friends with Ed Asner after he appeared the last two years at the Spring Grove Caledonia Film Festival in southern Minnesota.
"You know Ed has a special place in his heart for Minnesota, Mr. Mary Tyler Moore, Lou Grant," O’Regan said. "He was so humble about his career. You never once got the fact he was a big star. He never gave you that."
FILE - In this Sept.17, 1978, file photo, Lindsay Wagner, left, Ed Asner, center, and Nancy Marchand pose at the 30th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, in Pasadena, Calif. Asner won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "Lou Grant." Marchand won Outstanding Continuing Performance for her supporting actress role in "Lou Grant." Asner, the blustery but lovable Lou Grant in two successful television series, has died. He was 91. Asner's representative confirmed the death in an email Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, to The Associated Press.[AP Photo, File]
About two decades ago, Asner also came to KSTP-TV to shoot promos for the station.
Monica Doyle, KSTP’s operations director, helped Asner during that shoot.
"I got to meet him. I got to say, ‘Hello, Mr. Asner,’" Doyle said. "He was nice."
"I think he will be remembered as one of the biggest hearts in Hollywood," O’Regan added.