ED ASNER is an American actor best known as gruff-but-lovable newsman Lou Grant, who debuted on the television sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

 

Synopsis

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 15, 1929, actor Ed Asner got his big break when he landed the part of gruff newsman Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. When that popular sitcom ended, Asner continued with the drama spin-off Lou Grant. He won Emmy Awards for both shows. Asner's voice also starred in many animated features, including Pixar's Up. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-85.

Early Life

Actor Ed Asner was born Edward David Asner on November 15, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri. For more than a decade, Asner delighted television audiences with his portrayal of the tough, grumbling, but ultimately lovable newsman Lou Grant. This award-winning actor started on his chosen career path in college, appearing in productions at the University of Chicago.

After serving in the U.S. Army's Signal Corps in the early 1950s, Asner moved to New York to pursue an acting career. While he landed a few stage roles and made some television appearances, his career didn't really take off until he landed a part on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77). The situation comedy followed the life of Mary Richards—played by Mary Tyler Moore—a professional woman in her 30s working in TV news in Minneapolis. The show was groundbreaking for its time, showing an independent woman focused on her career. Asner played her boss, Lou Grant, a tough producer who, despite his hard facade, was more of a teddy bear than a grizzly bear. Audiences adored his portrayal of the character, along with reviewers and peers as well.

Asner was nominated for an Emmy Award seven times for his work on the show, winning the award three times—in 1971, 1972 and 1975. Though still popular, the series ended in 1977. During its final episode, most members of the TV station's news staff were fired after new management took over.

Lou Grant Lives On

While The Mary Tyler Moore Show was finished, the character of Lou Grant lived on. He moved to Los Angeles to become the city editor for a Los Angeles newspaper on the dramatic series Lou Grant (1977-82). Asner's character often went head-to-head with the newspaper's publisher, Margaret Pynchon, played by Nancy Marchand. While the show had its share of lighter moments, it took on many important issues, including gun control and child abuse.

In the later years of the series, Asner became known for speaking out on numerous social and political topics, especially in opposition to the U.S. involvement in Central America. The show was canceled in 1982, reportedly due to poor ratings, while some—including Asner—have speculated that the actor's activism may have influenced the decision to end the series.

More Television Roles

While it may have lost some of its audience over the years, Lou Grant remained a critical success, winning the Emmy Award for outstanding drama series in both 1979 and 1980. Asner was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a drama series every year the show was on the air, taking home the Emmy Award twice—first in 1978 and again in 1980.

Throughout the rest of the 1980s and '90s, Asner worked on a variety of projects. He returned to TV a number of times, making appearances on Hearts Afire (1992-93) with John Ritter, Thunder Alley (1994-95) with Haley Joel Osment and The Closer (1998) with Tom Selleck. He also appeared on The Practice (1997-04) and held a regular role on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-07). In 2011, he returned as the star of his own show, Working Class (2011). In this Country Music Television original series, Asner starred as a butcher who befriends a struggling single mom.

Big-Screen Work

Asner has also brought his talents to feature films, including a comic turn as Santa Claus in the 2003 comedy Elf, starring opposite Will Farrell. In 2007, the actor garnered an Emmy Award nomination for his work on the TV movie The Christmas Card.

Over the years, Asner has also lent his trademark voice to a number of animated series, including Fish Police (1992), The Magic School Bus (1994-98) and Spider-Man (1994-98). Perhaps most notably, in 2009, he did voiceover work for the award-winning Pixar film Up.

In addition to his acting work, Asner served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-85.

ACTIVISM and 9-11

Asner signed a statement released by the organization 9/11 Truth in 2004 that calls for a new investigation into the September 11 attacks. A brief summary of the reasons for his position appears in a video available on YouTube.  Asner confirmed his support for the statement in 2009. Asner also narrated the documentary film The Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror.

Asner served as the spokesman for 2004 Racism Watch. In April 2004, he wrote an open letter to "peace and justice leaders" encouraging them to demand "full 9-11 truth" through the organization 9-11 Visibility Project. In 2011, Asner hosted the Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth documentary on the collapse of 7 World Trade Center that concludes that the building was taken down by controlled demolition.

Since 2000, accomplished teacher & healer Alx Uttermann has been conducting healing workshops & trainings in a wide array of healing techniques & spiritual knowledge from ancient India.

From Singapore to California, she's facilitated hundreds of workshops, classes, satsangs, ceremonies & other healing events.

Over many years of intensive study at Sri Kaleshwar's Soul University in Penukonda, South India (five years in residence), Alx gained an in-depth understanding of the stresses facing human beings, and the spiritual medicine that dissolves them.

Her on-going research & expertise lie in effectively healing the underlying root of suffering, as well as the many symptoms of suffering (such as depression, anxiety, chronic health problems, heartbreak, grief, PTSD, anger issues and addictions).

Since returning to the US in 2005, Alx' work sharing these medicinal techniques has continued non-stop, culminating in the co-founding of UCBK (The Universal Church of Baba's Kitchen) with colleague Jonathan D. Rosen in 2008. UCBK is a meditation, charitable, & spiritual center in the Santa Cruz mountains of California, open to anyone of any faith, path, religion, or none.

Alx' passion, wisdom, humor, patience & command of spiritual knowledge is contagious.  Her goal is to spread the light far & wide, to help bring relief, peace of mind, inspiration and miraculous healing to whomever is in need.

All of the dazzling knowledge & spiritual healing techniques she utilizes and shares comes straight from the teachings of ancient India, restored to the world by Sri Kaleshwar & the universal lineage of ascended masters he represents, including Shirdi Sai Baba, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, Mahavatar Babaji, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and others.

- Available for personal healing sessions, either in person or via distance healing/Skype, anywhere in the world. Healing sessions are always free for veterans, esp with PTSD.

- Entrepreneur in the health/wellness field, helping to share Zeal For Life, an unparalleled wellness product with stunning long-and-short-term health benefits.

- Yoga & meditation on the beach in sunny Santa Monica, California! Every Tuesday & Wednesday mornings...!

- Animal Whisperer, talking with cats & dogs, helping pet owners & pets gain more understanding, clear communication, mutual healing & easier behaviors.

- New book of spiritual poems, 'wafting toward heaven,' available on Amazon for Kindle & smart-phone plus Kindle apps on any device!

- Performs weddings - specializes in tailoring special, sacred, unforgettable ceremonies to the needs of the couple. Adept with any religion, spiritual path, or interfaith ceremonies.

BACKGROUND IN HEALING & SOCIAL SERVICE

- Trained in South India for many years, with top healing master Sri Kaleshwar, emerging with hundreds of miraculous healing techniques & a wide body of practical knowledge from ancient India.

MAX IGAN is a researcher, truth seeker, radio host, film-maker and one of the leaders of global awakening movement. This man is a must listen to for all those serious about stopping the NWO in its tracks. His real given name remains anonymous and his second name is Maxwell. His last name also remains anonymous. He lives in Queensland, Australia and at the time of June 2012 he was 54 years old. The pen-name Max Igan that he has become known by is a combination of his middle name and his sons’ middle name. As a matter of interest, Igan is the original Irish spelling of the name Ian, and no, he does not have any Irish roots, he just liked the name. :) He decided upon the name Max Igan as his pen-name & internet identity as a tribute to his son and as a dedication to him. Any and all work he has done on the internet he has done mainly for him, first and foremost.

Recently, Max was viciously attacked suffering injuries including broken ribs, after giving a

Pro-Palestinian Speaking engagement in Byron Bay in Australia. Pro israeli elements had flown in from israel specifically targeting Max Igan during his speaking engagement.

Immediately after the attack host host Steve Johnson interviewed Max here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPPRnqc0FMc

Please visit Max Igan's site:

http://www.thecrowhouse.com/home.html

Filling the role of social justice co-ordinator for One Billion Rising Atlanta, Lisa is committed to helping to end violence and inequities that disproportionately effect women and girls and people of color.  She has helped coordinate the Atlanta version of several international events and particularly focuses on the use of the Arts for Social Change.  As co-founder and co-director of Posts for Peace and Justice she plans collaborative workshops that bring diverse communities together to engage in dialogue around issues that matter.  Expression of their shared vision and voices is then manifested in art that is displayed for public viewing to raise awareness and stimulate conversations leading to peace and understanding.

In her first career, Leslie was a professional dancer in Atlanta and later created the first Pilates studio, called Body Awareness. Her 22 years of commitment to supporting others to feel more connect and alive in their bodies is now evolving into creating a non-profit called The Joyous Heart Network. Inspired by Eve Ensler and her humanitarian work in the world, the Joyous Heart Network  will be working with other non-profits to bring profound transformational healing resources to survivors of Sexual abuse. She is working with the Atlanta One Billion Rising Team to help raise awareness about the issues and build a bridge for survivors to find deeper levels of healing. 

Leslie Clayton is passionate about helping women discover strength, balance and beauty inside and out. With more than 30 years of dance and exercise training, she uses physical and metaphysical exercises to assist her clients with body awareness. Leslie founded the first Pilates studio in Atlanta in 1993. Leslie combines her knowledge of Pilates, Heart IQ and body wisdom to develop conscious Pilates instructors. Leslie loves providing resources for teachers to fine tune their professional strengths and step up to new levels of skill, talent and expertise as Pilates professionals.

Leslie began her Pilates training with Ramana Krysanowska in New York, and has studied with teachers from San Francisco, Santa Fe and Colorado. She combines her knowledge of dance, Pilates, Yoga and gentle body therapies to create effective programs for all therapeutic and fitness levels. She is a Natural Rhythms Creation Coach and Food Healing Coach. Leslie brings Pilates trainers, fitness professionals and health care practitioners together for continuing education and to maintain the highest standards of fitness, health and well being for her trainers and her clients.

The intersectional organization works to engage men and boys to create new social norms, free from sexism, male privilege and gender violence, across age, gender, and difference. Adele incorporates unconventional methods to raise awareness, build empathy, and inspire action, from spoken word, theater, and public art to workshops, including a SAFE HOUSE Fraternity Training. She mounts billboards and transit sign PSAs and the theater production BECOMING hu-MAN: Words and Images to Help End Rape Culture, periodically, as community call to action. 

SEBASTIEN GENDRY

Sebastien Gendry is an expert in wellness and wellbeing with over 11 years of full-time experience teaching and training 1,000s of people on four continents. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 minutes, ABC Good Morning America, National Public Radio and many more national media.

He is the creator of Laughter Wellness, an interactive practice based on Laughter Yoga focused on developing a positive attitude and designed to improve physical, mental, emotional and especially social wellbeing and integration.

My name is Sebastien Gendry. I am the man who wrote this short document and created the Laughter Online University. I first came across the world of Laughter Therapy through an invitation to participate in a laughter club in Mumbai, India, in 1998. I did not to go. The idea of mechanically faking laughter seemed utterly absurd and pointless to me. It took me six full years and my share of physical and emotional challenges to realize that I hardly ever laughed myself and was the one missing out.

To cut a long story short, the world of laughter has been my chosen full time profession since 2005. The beginnings were rough, as there was no path I could follow. I was the first person in the Western world to dedicate myself full-time to the teaching and promotion of Laughter Yoga. I poured my soul into it and then spent years deepening my understanding, continuously learning, questioning and reworking how to use laughter to unlock the inner potential for change. In time my skillset matured and became Laughter Wellness, the program I now teach. It’s a professional approach to voluntary simulated laughter and a service that people value. It’s complete, solid, and it works. It has changed my life and that of many others.

I look forward to laughing and sharing my expertise with you! Mirthfully yours

Sebastien Gendry | The Laughter Wellness Guy

MIKE MARINO

Mike Marino – affectionately known to thousands of his fans as New Jersey’s Bad Boy – he is one of the most unique comics of our time. He has performed in every major comedy club from New York to Los Angeles including: The MGM Grand, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, Stand Up NY, The Improv, Rascals and The Icehouse. Mike, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, can be seen nightly as a top headliner at both the world famous Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Mike Marino was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He entered the world of theatre at an early age, and is a graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Mike has appeared in over 200 national television commercials, and has received a Best Actor Clio Award Nomination. He has acted in many Prime Time soaps and television shows including: As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Becker, Nikki, Frasier and Party of Five. His film credits include Crooks, Pizza with Bullets, Hangin’ in Hedo and Steven King’s Lucky Quarter.

After great success in film, theatre, commercials and soaps, Mike Marino began touring the country performing at countless comedy clubs and sold out theatres in the thousands. His stand-up material ranges from cutting edge observations of everyday life to his Italian family roots; which recently spun into a T.V. pilot called “Marino’s”. His comedic style has landed him guest appearances on The Tonight Show as a regular sketch player, The Martin Short Show, Comics Unleashed, The Boomer Show, Wild Pitch, Hand Held Comedy Radio and the Rascals Comedy Hour to name a few.

In the Fall of 2008, Mike Marino was inducted into the New Jersey Comedy Hall of Fame. Mike has also been featured on numerous talk shows and has hosted some of the most prestigious award shows including The Beverly Hills Film Awards, Hoboken Film Festival, and the Montreal Quintus Film Festival. He has also headlined several USO Comedy Tours and the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada.

Mike Marino has a tongue like a razor and a heart of gold. He has the incredible ability to perform in any arena, big or small, and can cater his material for all audiences, from strictly clean to down and dirty. He has performed in hundreds of corporate functions for companies including AT&T, United Airlines, American Express, Paul Mitchell, IBM, Wella, Merrill Lynch, Sebastian Intl., Toyota, L.A.S.D., N.J. Asphalt Assoc., The City of Hope, OSIA, and the LAPD. Mike Has performed for numerous charities including Aids Project – LA, Haven House, Team earthworks, and the Eric Davis Cancer Fund. When Marino is not performing, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family on the East Coast.