85 Comments

Last December, at age 90 and at the height of Covid, Ed drove 8 hours each way to make a promo video to save a single screen movie theater in tiny Monte Rio (pop. 1,152). He did it for my husband Dave Lockhart and obviously because he believes in theaters. A few weeks ago, we bought it. It's been saved. :) Age 90 and a pandemic did not stop Ed from showing up.

Expand full comment

Two great men. You and Mr. Ed Asner. Thank you, Mr. Moore, for your steadfast thorn-in-the-sidism. You too will join Mr. Asner one day in the grand hall of Famous Gadflies. May it be a long time coming.

Expand full comment

He also did amazing things for animals, fighting everything from their exploitation in films to starting a huge ranch that was a wonderful sanctuary. Ed was a mensch.

Expand full comment

I had the good luck to meet and chat a while with Asner about 15 years ago. He was as feisty and irreverent as one would expect and hope he would be. What a great combination of brilliant talent and exceptional principles.

Expand full comment

Thank you Mr. Asner and you as well Mr. Moore

Expand full comment

While so many of us, who never got a chance to meet him, are grieving the loss of a great actor and humanitarian, this is so personal for you. My heartfelt condolences to you, Michael, on the loss of your friend.

Expand full comment

This is amazing. I always liked him as an actor but had no idea that he was an actor-vist. What a beautiful tribute.

Expand full comment

Thanks for your beautiful tribute and for all the information. I ‘m ashamed to say that as much as I admired his acting and loved “Lou Grant” I didn’t know all this about him. There was even more to admire him for than his acting, and I’m sorry I was too ignorant of it to tell him.

Expand full comment

Ed was an opponent of the death penalty too, and came to Sacramento to lead the march to the Capitol with Death Penalty Focus. Thank you Michael Moore for telling us about Ed's support of your work, early on. What a fabulous man he was. You too!

Expand full comment

Michael: Thanks for informing about Ed Asner. I didn't know all about his activism!! We will miss him!! We need more of his kind of activism!! And you too!!!

Expand full comment

Thank you, Michael, for the knowledge. I loved Ed Asner as an actor, but never knew of his activist side. Never knew he helped you get your start as a film maker. God Bless him for that, and for being the man he was.

Expand full comment

American corporations seem to care only about money and it might be effective to boycott the bullies as we shop. Vidal Sassoon brands and Kimberly-Clark products include: Andrex, Cottonelle, Depend, Huggies, Kleenex, Plenitude, Poise, Scott and U by Kotex. Thanks, Michael for sharing the back story. Information is powerful!

Expand full comment

A beautiful story and fitting tribute. Many thanks Michael...

Expand full comment

Great Letter Mike!! Well done Ed!!

Expand full comment

Stories of people who stand up for our democracy and human values are heroes to me too!

Expand full comment

Great tribute to a wonderful man, and great personal story as well. We need more people like Mr. Asner.

Expand full comment