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Ed Asner
Ed Asner has won seven Emmy Awards – in third place behind Cloris Leachman and Carl Reiner. He might be best known for his role on Mary Tyler Moore and Lou Grant, but younger generations fell in love with his performances in the Disney Pixar film Up (2009) and Elf (2003). Ed returns to the Sedona International Film Festival to perform two shows, Oxymorons (with director Mark Rydell) and his one-man show, FDR. He’s also the subject of the documentary, My Friend Ed, directed by Sharon Baker.
Sedona Monthly: This isn’t your first time at the Sedona International Film Festival. Why do you like Sedona so much?
Ed Asner: All the pretty women. But how can you resist the natural beauty of Sedona? The people are very nice. I have fun with my acting companions.
During the festival, a documentary about your career titled My Friend Ed will be screened. What was it like to be part of the documentary and tell us about the first time you watched it.
They are going to show the documentary? I didn’t know that. My daughter is sure screwing off on the job… I’ll be damned. I haven’t seen it yet. I’ve got a big birthday this month, and they are going to show it there. That’s when I’ll see it for the first time.
What was it like having your personal life documented?
I’m used to it. Not having my life documented, but having a film crew around. They are always around here shooting something. I’m either narrating something or shooting something. I don’t remember it being personal when they were doing it.
You will also be performing twice at the festival, once with Mark Rydell in Oxymorons and in the one-man show FDR. What can the audience expect from these performances?
Excellence. I wouldn’t come having anything less.
You’ve done everything from TV to movies to cartoons to the stage. What do you prefer?
I love it all.
You voiced Carl in the beloved Disney Pixar film Up. Did you realize that film would touch so many people?
No. I was acting like a journeyman actor when I did it. I’m always leery of seeing myself and ready to pounce on the slightest weakness. The first two times I saw it, it was in 3-D, which I didn’t like. Then the third time I saw it, my resistance was starting to wear down, and it was in 2-D. I began to see what a lovely film it is. Pete Docter is a genius. He wrote it and directed it. He’s pretty fantastic. He’s weird, but he’s fantastic. I’ve never seen an animated film – and I’ve always loved animation, you don’t have to be a kid to love animation – that folks could go buy tickets to whether they had a kid with them or not.
The same could be said for Elf, when you portrayed Santa Claus.
I totally agree with you. I think [Elf] is so much better than that twinkly Miracle on 34th Street. Jon Favreau did a fantastic job writing it and directing it. Will Ferrell is a phenomenon. And that fight scene with Peter Dinklage? That’s one of the funniest movie scenes I’ve ever seen.
What’s with you and Santa Claus? According to IMDB, you’ve portrayed him at least six times.
At least six times. I just did an animated show that’s going to air on Dec. 16 about Buddy the Elf and Santa Claus. And I sing in it. You’re going to flip your lid when you hear me sing. Oh my God. You’re going to come jump in my arms. But Santa Claus…I guess I’m somewhat rotund, and that automatically locks me into contention. I’ve got a good gruff voice – that helps. Slap a beard and a red hat on me and I fill the bill.
