<p>US television actor Ed Asner, winner of a record seven Emmy awards, has died at age 91, his family said Sunday.</p>.<p>"We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning, peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel," his family wrote on the actor's Twitter account.</p>.<p>"With a kiss on your head -- Goodnight dad. We love you."</p>.<p>His publicist said Asner died of natural causes.</p>.<p>Asner originally made a name for himself playing newsroom boss Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," the iconic sitcom that ran from 1970 to 1977, and then later on a spinoff show centered on his character.</p>.<p>He won three of his seven Emmys for playing the character, and is one of only two actors to win a comedy and drama Emmy for the same role on different shows.</p>.<p>Asner won himself a new generation of fans with his portrayal of another tough guy with a heart of gold: widower Carl Fredericksen in the 2009 animated movie "Up," which was nominated for the Oscar for best picture.</p>.<p>In the film, Asner voices a hardened old man who ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies it to South America, seeking to fulfill his late wife's wish for adventure.</p>.<p>Edward Asner was born on November 15, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri. The youngest of five children, he worked on his high school newspaper -- foreshadowing his stint playing an editor on the small screen -- and played football.</p>.<p>As an adult, he worked on an auto-assembly line, though he said in a 1973 interview he had dreams of seeing South America -- again foretelling a future character -- or Alaska. He then served in the army before finally making his way into acting.</p>.<p>He appeared in a series of off-Broadway plays, television shows and movies before getting his big break with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."</p>.<p>A liberal activist, he participated in protests in support of labor unions and against the death penalty. He also served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild.</p>.<p>In May, Asner's friend and "Mary Tyler Moore" co-star Gavin MacLeod passed away. Asner shared his grief on Twitter.</p>.<p>"My heart is broken. Gavin was my brother, my partner in crime (and food) and my comic conspirator," he wrote.</p>.<p>"I will see you in a bit Gavin. Tell the gang I will see them in a bit. Betty! It's just you and me now," he added, referring to legendary actress Betty White, who is currently the only living alum of the show.</p>
<p>US television actor Ed Asner, winner of a record seven Emmy awards, has died at age 91, his family said Sunday.</p>.<p>"We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning, peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel," his family wrote on the actor's Twitter account.</p>.<p>"With a kiss on your head -- Goodnight dad. We love you."</p>.<p>His publicist said Asner died of natural causes.</p>.<p>Asner originally made a name for himself playing newsroom boss Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," the iconic sitcom that ran from 1970 to 1977, and then later on a spinoff show centered on his character.</p>.<p>He won three of his seven Emmys for playing the character, and is one of only two actors to win a comedy and drama Emmy for the same role on different shows.</p>.<p>Asner won himself a new generation of fans with his portrayal of another tough guy with a heart of gold: widower Carl Fredericksen in the 2009 animated movie "Up," which was nominated for the Oscar for best picture.</p>.<p>In the film, Asner voices a hardened old man who ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies it to South America, seeking to fulfill his late wife's wish for adventure.</p>.<p>Edward Asner was born on November 15, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri. The youngest of five children, he worked on his high school newspaper -- foreshadowing his stint playing an editor on the small screen -- and played football.</p>.<p>As an adult, he worked on an auto-assembly line, though he said in a 1973 interview he had dreams of seeing South America -- again foretelling a future character -- or Alaska. He then served in the army before finally making his way into acting.</p>.<p>He appeared in a series of off-Broadway plays, television shows and movies before getting his big break with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."</p>.<p>A liberal activist, he participated in protests in support of labor unions and against the death penalty. He also served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild.</p>.<p>In May, Asner's friend and "Mary Tyler Moore" co-star Gavin MacLeod passed away. Asner shared his grief on Twitter.</p>.<p>"My heart is broken. Gavin was my brother, my partner in crime (and food) and my comic conspirator," he wrote.</p>.<p>"I will see you in a bit Gavin. Tell the gang I will see them in a bit. Betty! It's just you and me now," he added, referring to legendary actress Betty White, who is currently the only living alum of the show.</p>