article by Ray Brasted

Ed Asner “brought it” to the Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 23. At 84 years of age he has lost nothing in terms of his ability to project his voice through the bones of an audience.

The evening included a special live performance by Asner of two short pieces from his one-man show on Franklin Delano Roosevelt, before an appreciatIve audience during the running of the Greater Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF).

Sitting in a vintage wheelchair at a vintage desk, Asner “was” FDR, first talking about his early years and his entry into politics and then as the President who has just been told the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. The audience at Fort Lauderdale’s art house theater was treated to a close-up and personal performance from an actor who has always seemed to be close to us, even on the television screen.

During the evening two Asner short films: “Good Men” and “Man of the World” were screened. There was also a tribute film with scenes from Asner’s long career. From his early days in radio to the Mary Tyler Moore television show and the drama series “Lou Grant”, Asner’s ability to connect with his audience was evident. Afterward he said it was the best film compilation of his career that he had ever watched. FLIFF also presented Asner with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Later in the courtyard of the Cinema Paradiso Asner posed for photos and signed autographs. Finally he moved slowly through the crowd of fans and left the building. “It was one of the best nights we have had at the Cinema,” said Gregory von Hausch, FLIFF CEO. It was a sentiment was echoed by others in attendance.  see ftlauderdalenews.com for more information and photos