Net Worth Ranker
What Was Ed Asner’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on August 29, 2021, Ed Asner, the celebrated American actor, had a net worth estimated at $10 million. His financial standing reflected a long and successful career spanning television, film, voice acting, and stage work. Asner’s primary income sources included his salary from various acting roles, royalties from his extensive body of work, and potential investments made throughout his career.
Early Career and Television Successes Contributing to Ed Asner’s Net Worth
Yitzhak Edward Asner, born on November 15, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri, began his journey in entertainment after serving in the Army Signal Corps during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. While in the army, Asner showcased his acting talents by participating in plays across Europe. Upon his return, he co-founded The Playwrights Theatre Club, later moving to New York City and then Los Angeles in 1961 to pursue acting opportunities. His early roles consisted of minor television appearances and a small part in the 1965 Elvis Presley film “Kid Galahad.”
Asner’s breakthrough role arrived with “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which premiered in September 1970. He portrayed Lou Grant, the news channel boss, becoming a central figure in the sitcom. The show’s widespread acclaim translated into substantial earnings for Asner, although specific salary details from that period are not publicly available. The show ran for seven years, amassing 29 Emmy Awards out of 67 nominations, indicating its popularity and the value Asner brought to the production. Following the success of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Asner’s character was spun off into “Lou Grant” in 1977. This hour-long drama series featured Asner as a newspaper editor and ran until 1982. Asner is the only actor to have won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for portraying the same character. The success of “Roots” in 1977 added to his income. The financial specifics regarding his contracts for these roles remain undisclosed, but these prominent roles significantly boosted his net worth.
Voice Acting, Film Roles, and Other Ventures Impacting Ed Asner’s Net Worth
Beyond his television success, Ed Asner cultivated a prolific voice acting career, contributing to numerous animated series and films. In 1987, he voiced the lead in the LA Classic Theatre Works radio version of Sinclair Lewis’ novel “Babbit”. He voiced over seventy different characters. His voice work included roles in “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” (1990-1995), “Spider-Man” (1994-1998), and “Gargoyles” (1994-1996). The financial compensation for these roles would have varied, typically based on union rates and the extent of his involvement in each project. One of Asner’s most recognizable voice acting roles was Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s 2009 film “Up.” Although his exact compensation for “Up” isn’t public knowledge, leading roles in major animated films generally command substantial salaries, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the actor’s bargaining power and the film’s budget. Other film roles, such as Santa Claus in the 2003 film “Elf,” and appearances in “Not Another B Movie” and “Too Big To Fail” (2011), would have contributed additional income, albeit likely less substantial than his main television and voice acting roles.
Asner also played Warren Buffet in the HBO drama “Too Big To Fail” which premiered in 2011. In 2019, Asner was cast in Netflix’s dark comedy “Dead to Me” alongside Christina Applegate. Additionally, Asner served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1981 to 1985. While this role was primarily a leadership position, it would have provided a salary and potentially increased his industry profile, leading to further acting opportunities and a greater overall net worth.
His involvement in political causes, including his support for Democratic candidates and his work on the documentary “Behind the Fear” (2016), would likely have been pro bono or for minimal compensation, reflecting his personal commitments rather than income-generating activities.
Personal Life and Property Potentially Adding to Ed Asner’s Net Worth
Ed Asner’s personal life included marriages and family, which may have influenced his financial planning and asset allocation. He married Nancy Lou Sykes in 1959 and had three children before their divorce in 1988. He also had a son with Carol Jean Vogelman in 1987. In 1998, he married Cindy Gilmore; they legally separated in 2007, and he filed for divorce eight years later. Any divorce settlements or spousal support agreements could have affected his overall net worth, although specific details are not publicly available.
Information regarding specific real estate holdings or other significant assets owned by Ed Asner is not widely available in the public domain. Like many individuals, he likely owned a primary residence and possibly other investment properties. The value of these assets would have contributed to his overall net worth, but without concrete details, it is challenging to provide a more precise estimate.
Accolades and Legacy Contributing to Ed Asner’s Net Worth
Ed Asner’s impressive list of awards and accolades throughout his career further solidified his reputation and influence in the entertainment industry. With 17 Emmy nominations and seven wins, he holds the distinction of being one of the most Emmy-honored television actors. His five Golden Globe wins out of 11 nominations also highlight his consistent excellence in acting. In 1996, he was inducted into the Emmy Hall of Fame, marking a pinnacle of his career achievements. These accolades not only brought prestige but also likely increased his marketability and potential earnings, adding to his overall net worth. He passed away from natural causes at the age of 91 and was laid to rest at Kansas City’s Sheffield Cemetery.
