Edward Asner (15 November 1929- 29 August 2021) was widely acknowledged as the most honored performer in American television history (seven Emmys, five Golden Globes), an intrepid spokesman for progressive American ideals, and the bane of the right-wing noise machine that tends to be mainstream media in the USA today. Art and politics, despite routine denials up in the sky boxes, intersect. Brecht knew it, so did Asner. This full-length documentary probes the ethnic Kansas City roots of Asner's fascinating life, his early struggles, his inspirations and influences, his remarkable acting career, his brave political activism at personal cost and his unflagging energy to the end as a superb performer on screen and stage. As much a survivor of Hollywood (and Reagan administration) blacklisting as Dalton Trumbo, Asner is frank, incisive and often puckish in reflections about himself as well as about friends, associates and enemies. This 2-time former president of the Screen Actors Guild (1981-85) was as devoutly serious about the craft of acting as he was about sticking to ethical action in public life. Like his famous blunt and beloved screen counterpart 'Lou Grant', Asner's personal creed in real life is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable while remaining the consummate professional. This feature documentary, based on extensive interviews at home and on the road, is an entertaining yet intimately informative portrait of one of the finest American actors of his (or any other) generation. Interviewees include actor Michael Shannon, director Oliver Stone, actor Mike Farrell, theater legend David Shepherd, historian Paul Buhle, theater historian and radio host Janet Coleman, and London film critic Derek Malcolm.
(Upper) Asner as Lou Grant
(Lower) Dorothy McGuire and Asner in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976)
