Ed Asner gives an actor’s perspective on Pixar’s UP.
It was several years ago when we had the privilege of sitting down with a man whose voice had shaped our screens and whose roles had shaped our hearts—Ed Asner. Known to many as the irreplaceable Lou Grant, the most awarded actor in television history, Ed was everything you’d hope for and more: gracious, candid, funny, and full of admiration for the genius of film director Pete Docter. That day, we talked about Up, the Pixar masterpiece where Ed lent his unmistakable voice to Carl Fredricksen, the grumpy yet endearing widower with a house tied to a cluster of balloons. In all likelihood, you watched Up. You’ve laughed at the antics of Dug the dog, marveled at the technicolor wonder of Paradise Falls, and maybe—you’ve shed a tear or two during those silent four minutes of Carl and Ellie’s life together. But here’s the significance. Ed Asner saw in Up something that wasn’t just animated whimsy. Up was about us—all of us. It was about love and loss, adventure and rediscovery. It was about life itself. It starts with love—Carl and Ellie’s love—a love so rich in its simplicity that it reminded us all of the beauty of ordinary days: shared dreams, quiet laughter, a life built on small, tender moments. And then... loss. The kind of loss that leaves you clutching at memories and struggling to let go. Carl’s house, held aloft by those balloons, wasn’t just his home. It was a symbol of everything he couldn’t release. Zero in on the genius of Pete Docter, and the magic of Ed Asner’s voice that brings the most important life moment to the forefront. Up teaches us that letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means finding new adventures, new connections, and maybe even a new purpose. Carl didn’t find his adventure in reaching Paradise Falls. He found it in a boy named Russell, a persistent Wilderness Explorer who needed a father figure as much as Carl needed a friend. Together, they taught us that adventure isn’t measured in miles traveled but in hearts touched. And what about that house? It was tied to Carl’s grief. As Ed tells it, Carl let go of its weight, piece by piece, discovering the joy of living in the moment. Pete Docter’s note, delivered through Ellie’s words, sums it up best: “Thanks for the adventure—now go have a new one.” Ed Asner shared with us that this wasn’t just a story for kids. It was a story for anyone who’s loved, who’s lost, who’s struggled to find meaning in the next chapter of life. And that’s why Up is more than just a movie. It’s a lesson, a mirror, a significant gift. So, the next time you hear the gentle creak of Carl’s cane or see those balloons floating skyward, remember: the true adventure isn’t where you’re going. It’s who you’re becoming along the way. Enjoy the entire conversation with Ed Asner on Success Made to Last podcast-
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