Was directed by Mike Nichols in college productions at the University of Chicago; began acting professionally with the Chicago Playwright's Theatre Company following his discharge from the U
S
Army Signal Corps in 1953
Made his TV debut in the dramatic anthology Studio One in 1957
Was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985
San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom is his wife Cindy's nephew; TV personality Jules Asner is his former daughter-in-law
Well-known for his political activism
Was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame in 1996; received a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2001
As of 2012, holds the record for male performer with most Emmy wins (seven total, five for the character of Lou Grant)
Incidentally, The Mary Tyler Moore Show costar Cloris Leachman holds the record for female performer
Was the first actor ever to receive both Comedy and Drama Emmys for the same character
Awards
2007Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie:nominated
1992Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
1982Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
1982Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama:nominated
1981Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
1981Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama:nominated
1980Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:winner
1980Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama:winner
1979Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
1979Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama:nominated
1978Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama:winner
1978Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:winner
1977Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
1977Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:winner
1976Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
1975Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:winner
1975Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1974Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
1973Emmy-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy:nominated
1973Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
1972Golden Globe-Actor in a Supporting Role - Series or Television Movie:winner
1971Emmy-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy:winner