Edward Asner is probably best known for his role as the ornery news manager Lou Grant, a character he portrayed on the 1970s comedy series the Mary Tyler Moore Show and later on the television drama Lou Grant.

Beyond his acting career, Asner is a passionate social activist and has been an ardent supporter of numerous social justice and political causes. He was an outspoken critic of the Reagan administration's policies, particularly regarding foreign affairs, and the Bush administration’s policies, especially regarding the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, and American foreign policy in general. He is an advocate of labor unions, gun control, campaign finance reform, and animal rights, and an opponent of the death penalty, having made many public appearances to protest the death sentence of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Items from Edward Asner’s papers are presently on view in our flash exhibit case. The collection is currently in process. Julie Graham Accessioning Archivist UCLA Library Special Collections