During his half century of professional activity, Edward Esner managed to be noted for almost two hundred cinematic projects. This talented American actor of theater, film, television and stage in the first half of the eighties of the last century served as President of the Screen Actors Guild of the United States. And to a wider audience he is better known as Lou Grant (the character of the sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and his spin-off "Lou Grant").
An outstanding US artist, whose name is well known all over the world, today takes an active life position associated with social activities and charity. Edward Esner is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and the Campaign for Peace and Democracy. His work as President of the Screen Actors Guild deserves much attention, when he condemned US foreign policy in Central America, played a leading role in the film actors strike in 1980, the release of Mummy Abu Jamal and health care reform in California.
The strong political position of the outstanding American artist has had a negative impact on his creative career more than once. So, in 1982, the television series "Lou Grant" was closed, despite its stable rating positions, since Edward Esner at that time was engaged in promoting medical care for the population of El Salvador and other social projects that were undesirable to the authorities. And in 2011, he actively supported the candidacy of the progressive Democrat Marcy Vinograd in the California elections.
The popular Hollywood actor is a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a charity that protects the rights of comic book authors and distributors, participates in the Rosenberg Fund for Childre, which protects the interests of the children of political activists, and as a member of the board of directors of the Defenders of Wildlife organization makes huge efforts to protect wildlife on the planet. In addition, his position on the terrorist attacks that took place in the United States on September 11, 2001 is known. For many years, Edward Esner has been demanding from the government of the country to review the results of the thematic investigation, in every possible way encouraging to tell "the whole truth about 9/11" by creating a special "Project of Visibility".
Short biography of Edward Esner
On November 15, 1929, the future famous artist was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in Kansas City (Missouri). It is interesting that on the maternal side, Edward Esner has Russian roots. My father kept a shop of second-hand goods, which brought in a stable small income, which allowed him to live comfortably. Despite the fact that the family had nothing to do with the world of art and culture, Eddie showed remarkable artistic abilities from childhood.
And therefore, after receiving his education at Wyandotte High School and at the University of Chicago, he actively participated in the theatrical life of the signal troops, in which he served in Europe.
Creative career of an artist
After returning from Europe, Edward joined the Playwrights Theater Company in Chicago, but soon moved to New York, where he began to appear on the stage of the tetra, later transformed into the Compass Players cabaret revue. Here he got on the show The Second City, and also became a member of the Broadway "Threepenny Opera", where he played Jonathan Peacham. During this period, producers began to notice him, and he was able to make his debut on television. His filmography began to be replenished with episodic roles in the TV series "Invaders", "Mission Impossible" and others.
And in 1970 there was a real breakthrough in the professional career of Edward Esner, when he won the hearts of millions of viewers as the legendary character of Lou Grant in the acclaimed Mary Tyler Moore Show. And in 1977, the eponymous drama series about Lou Grant was released. Interestingly, the actor became the only person in the world who was awarded the prestigious Emmy awards for performing one role in two different categories (drama and comedy).
During this time, Edward Esner starred in the TV series "Studio 60 on Sunset Street" and "Avenue of Thunder". And then there was the character of Captain Davis in the mini-series "Roots", for the transformation into which the actor was awarded an Emmy. The next time the title statuette fell into his hands after the release of the television drama "Rich Man, Poor Man". An important film work was his role as John XXIII (Pope) in the Italian television film of 2002 "Papa Giovanni - Ioannes XXIII".
In addition, the American film actor has achieved great success in the role of a dubbing actor. His voice acting roles in Spider-Man, Gargoyles, Star Wars radio drama, Batman, Freekazoid !, Upward and a number of games and documentaries are well known around the world.
Among the actor's achievements, I would especially like to highlight the Screen Actors Guild Award for Contribution to Cinematography (2001), placement in the Hall of Fame (2003) of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and seven times being awarded the prestigious Emmy Award.
Personal life
The family life of Edward Esner, like a professional activity, is also full of various events. Between 1959 and 1988, he was married to Nancy Sykes, which gave birth to daughter Keith and twins Lisa and Matthew.
In 1987, the actor had a son, Charles, whose mother was Carol Jean Vogelman. The child was diagnosed with autism. Following this event, Edward Esner became part of a Chicago consulting firm to engage people with autism in special tests and programs, using their characteristics in the service of society.
From August 1998 to November 2007, the popular artist was married to producer Cindy Gilmore. Interestingly, there are famous public figures among his relatives. For example, the former daughter-in-law Jules Esner (Asner) is a popular TV presenter and model, and Gavin News (ex-husband of his niece) is now the vice-governor of California.
