Edward Asner

Born: November 15, 1929
Where: Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Asner is that rare thing in Hollywood - a tough, uncompromising left-wing star who walks the walk as well as talks the talk.

A previous life as a cab driver, car factory worker and steelman was always going to fashion him as a down-to-earth blue collar guy in a shallow world of pretension and insincerity.

However, an earlier stint as an encyclopaedia salesman would prepare him with the means to shoot from the mouth as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Indeed, it was his staunch left-wing stance that apparently got TV drama Lou Grant forced off the air by advertisers nervous at its political direction.

An accomplished stage actor in Chicago, Asner failed to set the big screen alight in a series of unmemorable films during the 1960s.

He had a featured role in 1981's Fort Apache, the Bronx and also played Guy Bannister in JFK from Oliver Stone (a director who shares his leftish leanings).

However, television remained his strong suit with successes including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bronx Zoo, Thunder Alley and opposite Tom Sellack in CBS comedy The Closer.

Recently, he has returned to the cinema with roles lined up in Missing Brendan, The Confidence Game and The Commission.

Twice married, his seven Emmys make him the most honoured male peformer in the history of the awards.