The late actor was known for playing many roles in movies and TV over the decades, including Lou Grant on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and Carl Fredricksen in Disney/Pixar's 'Up'.

Ed Asner passed away "peacefully" on Sunday morning at the age of 91, his family has said.

"Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head-Goodnight dad. We love you."

Asner moved to Hollywood in 1961 to begin his acclaimed TV and movie career, and in 1996 he was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.

Asner was most famous for appearing in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' as newsman Lou Grant, who also had his own spin-off series and from both shows he secured Emmy Award and Golden Globe wins. Other TV credits included 'The Good Wife', 'ER', 'Cobra Kai', 'Dead To Me', and 'Grace and Frankie'.

He also lent his voice to countless animated TV shows over the years, including 'Johnny Bravo', 'Gargoyles', 'Freakazoid!', 'Spider-Man' and 'Captain Planet and the Planeteers'.

Ed Asner was also a huge draw on cinema screens since the '60s, with roles in 'El Dorado', 'The Wrestler', 'JFK', as well as 'Elf' and of course Disney/Pixar's 'Up'.

With a career spanning generations, many of Asner's former colleagues and friends have paid tribute to the iconic actor on social media, including Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes, Clancy Brown and John Lithgow.