Ed Asner

On Tuesday night (March 12, 2013), Ed Asner became disorientated during his one-man show, FDR and a 911 call brought the paramedics to the Marquette Pavilion in Gary. According to Chicago Sun-Times, the show started around 45 minutes late and while he was onstage, Asner appeared to have difficulty breathing and was struggling with his lines. After around 15 minutes, backstage staff had intervened and Asner left the stage, where he was treated by paramedics.

Headlines regarding the incident blamed “exhaustion” (Chicago Sun-Times) and described the 83 year old as “disorientated,” (Daily Mail) where others described his behaviour as “worrisome” (Fox News). However, Asner himself was quick to quell any alarm that had developed over the situation and tweeted a message to say “Reports of my imminent demise are greatly exaggerated. They tell me I am suffering from exhaustion. Thanks for the good wishes!” A representative for Asner told USA Today that he had been taken to a Chicago hospital, where he was “resting comfortably.”

Asner is best known for his roles in the Mary Tyler Moore show and its spin-off Lou Grant and has recently been touring the country, playing the role of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in FDR for over three years. 

Continue reading: 'Reports Of My Imminent Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated' - Ed Asner Calls For Calm After 911 Call

Hollywood veteran Ed Asner was hospitalized on Tuesday night, after having to cut short his sold-out performance in Gary, Indiana.

Asner, 83, best known for his role as Lou Grant on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” had to be rushed off-stage in the middle of his portratayal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the one man show FDR. It is as yet unclear what the cause of the problem was. According to an audience member, he appeared confused and was not speaking clearly. The problem had started right before the show, apparently, since earlier in the evening, Asner had appeared in good health, when he conducted an acting class elsewhere in Gary.

Medical personnel arrived on the scene quickly and the performance was cut short. Asner also has other performances scheduled across the country, but it is presently unclear whether they will be cancelled or not. Currently, the actor is still recovering in a hospital in the Chicago area, but no other announcements have been made about his condition. A rep for Asner later released the statement that he had been suffering from exhaustion and was now resting comfortably.

Continue reading: Hollywood Veteran Ed Asner Hospitalised After Cancelled Performance

Paul Rudd isn't often associated with words such as 'Grace' or, for that matter, 'tact', with roles in great contemporary-classic comedies such as 'Anchorman', 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', or in the flop 'Dinner For Schmucks', but it seems that Broadway's 'Grace', in which he's currently starring, is exactly what Rudd needed bring attention to his own grace. Plus, his pairing with Ed Asner (Disney Pixar's 'Up') in this brand new American four person stage-play, that also stars Michael Shannon ('Boardwalk Empire', 'Revolutionary Road') and Kate Arrington (Broadway veteran), certainly seems like a match made in heaven.

'Grace' has been described on Playbill.com: "In alternating scenes of hilarity and poignancy, life turns surreal for an eclectic foursome whose destinies collide in the Sunshine State... A wide-eyed young couple (Rudd & Arrington) head south with big plans to open a chain of Gospel-themed motels. When an agitated rocket scientist (Shannon) and a prickly pest-control man (Asner) enter the picture, the couple's ordered world is thrown into utter chaos."

In response as to whether this 'utter chaos' finds any kind of aesthetic stage value one tweeter said of 'Grace': "It's brilliant. It made me laugh, cry and contemplate grace. Ed Asner is a national treasure." To celebrate the play and its themes, a whole host of special events have been organised around it, included a series of three 'talkback' evenings. October 10th, 17th and 24th will see a variety of speakers from critics, members of the cast as well as members of the clergy meet to discuss themes of the play, focussing particularly on the aspects of faith that it probes.

Continue reading: Paul Rudd And Ed Asner Find 'Grace' On Stage