Tributes paid to Ed Asner, voice of Carl Fredricksen…

Tributes paid to Ed Asner, voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s ‘Up’, who has died aged 91

Ed Asner, best known for voicing the adventuring widower Carl Fredricksen in the acclaimed 2009 animation Up, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning – his family have confirmed.

The 91-year-old actor also appeared on The Mary Tylor Moore Show and in 2003, played the role of Santa Claus in the Christmas comedy Elf, starring Will Ferrell.

Writing on Asner’s official Twitter account, his family said: “We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel.

“With a kiss on your head – goodnight dad. We love you.”

In a statement shared by Pixar on Instagram, and reposted by Disney, the animation company wrote: “Ed was our real life Carl Fredricksen: a veneer of a grouch over an incredibly loving and kind human being. Russell, Dug and all of us at Pixar will miss him terribly.

“Ed loved voicing Carl, and our time working with him will remain some of our most beloved memories. His adventure was ours for a moment in time.”

Celebrities and fans alike also paid tribute to Asner online:

Sending love to The great Ed Asner’s family. An icon because he was such a beautiful, funny and totally honest actor. No one like him. https://t.co/GgI4pY4aCH
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) August 30, 2021

Making my 1st film, Roger & Me, I was broke so I wrote to some famous people to ask for help. Only one responded: Ed Asner. “I don’t know you, kid, but here’s 500 bucks” said the note attached to the check. “Sounds like it’ll be a great film. I was an autoworker once.” R.I.P. Ed pic.twitter.com/AuGCNlyNnC
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) August 29, 2021

Ed Asner was a great friend of The Muppets. Few have ever been as funny, talented, and kind as he was. We will miss him dearly.
— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) August 29, 2021

Darn it. He was the best of us. TRULY a great man.
Please support the Ed Asner Family Center and Ed’s legacy of good works. pic.twitter.com/IM8YBJxjSE
— Clancy Brown (@RealClancyBrown) August 29, 2021

I had the honor to witness Ed’s generosity and compassion first hand. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed. RIP Ed Asner. @EdAsnerCenter pic.twitter.com/EbNNjoxFnC
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) August 29, 2021

Finally got a chance to work with the great Ed Asner when he played Granny Goodness on Justice League Action. Crazy, funny, generous performance. He will be greatly missed https://t.co/3UwLuQB6ID
— Kevin Conroy (@RealKevinConroy) August 30, 2021

Sending love and solidarity, thank you for your service to the working class, Ed pic.twitter.com/g55u2mUQT5
— Brett "Unions 2021" Banditelli (@banditelli) August 29, 2021

No no no no. 😭😢🥺 Please. This hurts. 💔

This is hurting me but thanks for the adventure, Ed. I promise to have a new one 🥲🎈 Goodbye, friend. pic.twitter.com/yP5tmT5HDB
— Lauren De Maio (@LaurenMDeMaio) August 29, 2021

I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Ed Asner. My thoughts are with both friends and family at this very sad time. #RIPEdAsner 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JFkISOLvee
— Lorrie Leaver (@lorrie_e) August 29, 2021

A good man.

"There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, at no time, should go hungry."

~ Ed Asner
— Frank Amari (@FrankAmari2) August 29, 2021

Met him after "Grace" - we didn't ask for a pic, he suggested it. He was so sweet, and had the softest beard! My sincere condolences and may his memory be a blessing to you all. pic.twitter.com/eeJL7SBC0g
— Li'l Kris (@Little_Kris10) August 29, 2021

Devastated.

Meeting Ed and spending long days with him changed my life.

He was the only actor I've ever met who didn't leave the set.

He never went back to his trailer. He just sat on a director's chair doing his NYT crossword + chatting to people.💔
— Alice Evans (@AliceEvansGruff) August 29, 2021