Ed Asner's Legacy: "Elf," "Up," and Supporting Autism Charities

Remembering Ed Asner and Stephen Sondheim

• 😔 The passing of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim at 91 is noted, alongside his significant contributions to musical theater, including "West Side Story" and "Sweeney Todd."
• 🌟 Edward Asner, also 91, is remembered for his extensive career, including his roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Lou Grant," and his recent work on "Dug Days."

Ed Asner's Holiday Filmography

• 🎬 Asner had a notable career in holiday-themed projects, starting with the 1977 H-B production "The Gathering."
• 🎅 He is particularly remembered for his iconic portrayal of Santa Claus in films like "Elf" and "The Story of Santa Claus," with estimates suggesting he played the role around 10-20 times.
• 💖 His role as Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's "Up" was a surprise success, earning him significant adoration and attention later in his career.

The Ed Asner Family Center

• 💙 Asner's son, Matthew Asner, and his wife, Nava, lead the Ed Asner Family Center, which supports families with children affected by autism.
• 🎭 The center is hosting a virtual table read of "It's a Wonderful Life" on December 5th, featuring a star-studded cast including Martin Sheen and Kathy Bates, to raise funds.
• 🌟 The organization aims to honor Ed Asner's legacy of generosity and community involvement, continuing his support for underserved communities.

Hollywood Special Effects and Animation

• 🪄 A listener question reveals that special effects animator Joshua Meador was loaned out by Walt Disney to work on effects for "The Ten Commandments" and "Forbidden Planet" in 1956.
• 🎬 Meador's work on "Fantasia," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," and "Sleeping Beauty" is highlighted.
• 🎙️ Asner also had a significant career in voice acting for animation, which he found to be a "safe haven" and enjoyed immensely, with early credits including "Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night."

Animation and Film Industry News

• 🎬 Hayao Miyazaki is confirmed to be working on a new animated feature, expected in 2023, based on his favorite childhood book.
• 🎶 Netflix is developing a Gorillaz movie with animation aiming for a "Miyazaki level."
• 💥 The film "Rumble" will be a Paramount Plus exclusive, skipping theatrical release.
• 📺 "Ron's Gone Wrong" will debut on Disney Plus and HBO Max simultaneously.