Cobra Kai, Elf and Up star Ed Asner passes away at the age of 91

Legendary actor Ed Asner has passed away at the age of 91.

The star of both small and big screen died on Sunday (August 29) morning, surrounded by his family. "We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully," they wrote on his Twitter. "Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head – Goodnight Dad. We love you."

Asner has the most Emmy award wins of any male performer, and was once the president of the Screen Actors Guild. He may best be known for playing Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and a Lou-led spin-off, but his lengthy career has seen him take on an incredible number of iconic roles.

He played Santa Claus in Christmas classic Elf, voiced Carl in Disney/Pixar's Up, and recently appeared on Netflix favourites Dead to Me, Grace and Frankie and Cobra Kai.

His instantly recognisable gravelly voice has been heard across countless roles, including as J Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: The Animated Series and Uncle Ben in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Roland Daggett in Batman: The Animated Series and Granny Goodness in various DC projects.

Tons of tributes have been made to the actor on Twitter, with his on-screen Cobra Kai son William Zabka writing: "Devastated to hear this news. What a legend. What a beautiful human and special friend. I learned so much from him. My love and deepest condolences to the Asner family #RIP Dear Ed."

"So saddened by this news," Ralph Maccio added. "A legend and icon in the acting world. Endless respect for his body of work on so many levels. Ed had graced the Cobra Kai series and am grateful to have had a moment or two to meet and connect with him. An absolute privilege. #RIPEdAsner."

Related: Cobra Kai future revealed by Netflix ahead of season 4

As well as his many acting gigs, Asner was also a political activist and had been involved in many non-profit organisations supporting Holocaust survivors and children with special needs, among many others.

Vincent D'Onofrio, the Daredevil actor who starred alongside Asner in 1991's JFK, tweeted: "The great Ed Asner. @TheOnlyEdAsner. What an inspiration he was to me as a young actor.

"Not to mention the years of laughs he brought into my household when I was kid. Thank you Ed. My heart goes out to his family and friends."

Ron Perlman, who starred in the fan-favourite Batman: TAS story 'Feat of Clay' as Clayface alongside Asner, shared a photo of the pair and wrote: "Ya did good dear sweet Ed! With a heart as big as they come! Rest well beautiful man…"

"Ed Asner meant so much to so many for so many reasons. What a life," wrote The Lord of the Rings actor Sean Astin, who co-starred with Anser in documentary The Long Way Home.

"Colleague of my Dad, shepherded my Mom into the Union Presidency, whooped my ass at poker, fought against war & lies, fought a lifetime for our Union & stood up to it just the same. Sending love to his family."

Spider-Man: TAS' Hobgoblin and Batman: TAS' Joker Mark Hamill, wrote: "A great man...a great actor... a great life. Thank you Mr. Asner. #RIP."

Kevin Conroy, the long-running voice of Batman, added: "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."

Clancy Brown, who starred alongside Asner as Superman: TAS' Lex Luthor and The Spectacular Spider-Man's George Stacy and Rhino, tweeted: "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."

Justice League Unlimited's Superman voice, George Newbern, shared a video and wrote: "RIP #edasner. What a legend and sweet man…here’s a backstage Interview I did with him from several years ago :) cheers Ed!!"

Bob Peterson, who voiced Dug in Up, tweeted: "What a guy! I will miss Ed Asner and count my blessings I got to know this man."

The official Pixar account shared a picture of Carl, sitting alone in his chair and looking at his scrapbook, with the caption: "Ed was our real life Carl Fredricksen: a veneer of grouch over an incredibly loving and kind human being. Russell, Dug, and all of us at Pixar will miss him terribly."

Prior to his death, Asner had recorded voice work for Carl's return in the series Dug Days, which premieres on Disney+ in just a few days, on September 1.

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