Lou Grant dies aged 91

ED Asner, who became a star in middle age as Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later in the drama Lou Grant, has died aged 91.

Asner, pictured, was hired in 1970 to play gruff but lovable newsman Lou Grant, boss of Moore’s Mary Richards at a Minneapolis TV newsroom, for seven seasons.

He would play the role for five years on Lou Grant. Asner married twice, to Nancy Lou Sykes and Cindy Gilmore, and had four children – Matthew, Liza, Kate and Charles.

A note from his children said: ‘We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head – Goodnight dad. We love you.’