Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 398 December 19, 2018

Ed Asner personifies Hollywood at its best.
Although most associated as tough but
lovable newsman Lou Grant on “The Mary
Tyler Moore Show,” his star has shined
bright for decades, having countless
accomplishments and accolades. Asner’s
steadfast political activism made him a
beloved president of the Screen Actors
Guild in the 1980s. But his most public
agenda was his fight to hamper the U.S.
government’s involvement in Central
America, particularly in El Salvador. I had
the honor and pleasure to interview the
Hollywood icon, activist and humanitarian
the day after he was honored for his career
lifetime achievement.
How do you feel about being recently
honored by the ARPA International
Film Festival with their Lifetime
Achievement Award?
I’m always honored to be singled out.
How was your overall experience at
ARPA as the man of the hour? Was it an
overwhelming experience, or are you
used to it?
No, I’ve gotten used to it, but it’s always
nice to have a fresh one.
How much of your work is in
entertainment and how much of it is
activism?
I’m not that active right now. I show up
when they call me or ask me.
You were a two-term president of the
Screen Actors Guild in the ‘80s. How do
you feel the Guild is doing considering
the challenges it faces now?
First of all, I did not celebrate the merger
(SAG and AFTRA). It was not done as we
had been seeking a merger all these years,
to get it done with the proper portability
of pension and health pay. None of that
took place. It’s now like 160,000 members,
and I don’t find them that outspokenly
strong to merit a strike. If you strike,
make it mean something. I don’t think the
advances they have made in the context
they have achieved are that good or
important. My jury is still out.
I met you at an ACLU fundraiser over
10 years ago. Are you still active with
ACLU?
No, they don’t call me. The people who I
knew at ACLU, most of them, retired. They
left. I’m not familiar with the new crew.