Ed Asner was the Real Deal, Especially When It Came To Cars

I like to keep things real. So, let’s talk about cars for a minute — how ridiculously expensive they are and the absurdity of having a high-end vehicle as a status symbol.

As a kid, I remember reading how the legendary Ed Asner, who died in 2021, drove an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme to work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. I mean, come on, man — how cool is that? Ed was and remains an icon in the history of the entertainment industry. He was best known for his Emmy-winning role as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a half-hour sitcom, and one-hour sequel drama, Lou Grant. He delivered countless performances on stage, television, and the big screen.

I had the honor of calling Ed a friend, and hosting him on my TV talk show, Then Again with Herbie J Pilato, and working with him on other productions. Beyond acting, he was a dedicated political advocate for various charitable causes; down to earth as all get-out, one of the least arrogant celebrities I have ever known. He was one of the most beloved and unaffected actors in Hollywood. Even at the height of his success, Ed was never ostentatious or materialistic, clearly and specifically when it came to automobiles. He told me how he grew up with a strong set of priorities and a strong work ethic, and he retained that integrity until he left this world.