Ed Asner Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Ed Asner Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Ed Asner is a legendary actor recognized for his iconic role as Lou Grant and for his versatile career across television, film and voice work.

Introduction

When one reflects on the career of Ed Asner—born November 15, 1929—the sheer breadth of his work and influence stands out. Not only did he become one of the most awarded male television actors in history, but his estimated net worth at the time of his passing was approximately $10 million, according to Celebrity NetWorth. 
In terms of his personal life, his relationships spanned decades and included two marriages and several family developments—a story of ambition, creativity and resilience. This profile will explore Ed Asner’s rise, his wealth, his relationships, his interests and the legacy he left behind.

Quick Facts (Table Summary)

The Story Behind His Rise

Ed Asner’s journey from modest beginnings to Hollywood icon is the kind of story that blends grit and serendipity. Born into a Jewish‑immigrant family in Kansas City, Missouri, he grew up with the name Yitzhak (his Hebrew name) and experienced early work on assembly lines and in service before finding acting.
He attended the University of Chicago studying journalism, but theatre soon beckoned. After service in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War, he relocated to New York and then Los Angeles to pursue acting full‑time.
His breakout role came as Lou Grant on the blockbuster sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970, then transitioned seamlessly into the drama spin‑off Lou Grant from 1977–1982—a rare feat for a TV actor.

Defining moments in Ed Asner’s journey include:

• Serving in the U.S. Army and performing in plays for military bases in Europe.

• Landing the role of Lou Grant and winning Emmys in both comedy and drama for the same character.

• Taking on voice‑acting and film roles later in his career, broadening his craft beyond live‑action.

Main Sources of Wealth

The core pillars of Ed Asner’s wealth include:

• Television acting roles: He was paid for recurring roles on long‑running series, especially as Lou Grant, which provided a steady income and residuals.

• Film and voice work: High‑profile roles such as Santa in Elf and the voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s Up contributed to both his earnings and his brand. 

• Residuals and royalty income: Given the enduring popularity of his television work in syndication and streaming, residuals would factor in.

• Investments & real estate: While less publicly detailed, he engaged in property transactions (for example a home in Studio City sold for nearly $2 million). 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Note: Figures are approximate and timeless—intent is to reflect scale, not exact currency date.

Relationships & Family Life

Ed Asner’s personal life carried its own chapters of success and challenge. He married Nancy Lou Sykes in 1959; the couple had three children—twins Matthew and Liza, and daughter Kate. They divorced in 1988. 
He fathered a son, Charles, with Carol Jean Vogelman in 1987. 
Later, he married producer Cindy Gilmore on August 2, 1998; she filed for separation in 2007 and Asner filed for divorce in 2015. 

Key insights into Ed Asner’s relationships and personal life:

• His marriages reflect long‑term commitments, one spanning nearly three decades.

• He embraced fatherhood across different relationships, navigating blended‑family dynamics.

• His activism and public persona sometimes intersected with his personal life, making him someone whose values manifested both on screen and off.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Ed Asner led a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• A ranch‑style home in Studio City, California, featuring a pool and vaulted ceilings; the property sold circa $1.95 million. 

• A robust involvement in activism—from union leadership as president of the Screen Actors Guild (1981–1985) to advocacy work on healthcare, immigration and the arts. 

• Voice acting and audiobook work—extending his craft into new domains with two Grammy nominations and an Audie Award win. 

• Philanthropy aimed at supporting people with autism and special needs, including involvement with the Ed Asner Family Center. 

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Ed Asner’s public image is one of authenticity, craft and principled commitment. In television history, his portrayal of Lou Grant carved a unique place: winning an Emmy for the same character in both comedy and drama.
Among actors, writers and fans, he is seen as a “working actor’s actor”—someone who embraced the job itself, the evolution of the medium, and the social responsibilities accompanying visibility. His voice work introduced him to younger audiences (for example his role in Up) and reaffirmed his versatility. He also served as a role model for artistic longevity, remaining professionally active into later years.
His influence extends to how television characters are built; Lou Grant’s transition from sitcom to harder‑drama helped blur genre lines and presaged modern “spinoff” strategies.
On social impact, his activism, coupled with his union leadership, showcased how entertainers can engage meaningfully with civic life.

Conclusion

From the working‑class roots of Kansas City to the bright lights of Hollywood, Ed Asner’s story is as much about talent as it is about persistence, principle and adaptability. His estimated net worth of approximately $10 million speaks to the financial fruits of a storied career, and his birthdate—November 15, 1929—and birthday (November 15) anchor a legacy that endures.
In relationships and family he found both joy and complexity, balancing personal ambitions with connection. As a public figure and performer, he redefined what it meant to be a character actor—and what it meant to leverage fame for purpose. Ultimately, Ed Asner’s life reminds us that lasting influence often arises not just from roles played but from values held—and actions taken.