Ed Asner as FDR: Pacific welcomes TV star

Most college students, by virtue of making it this far in their education, have at least a general idea of who Franklin Delano Roosevelt is.

The 32nd President of the United States, colloquially referred to as “FDR,” is famous for enacting the “New Deal” package of legislation during the Great Depression, as well as entering the nation into World War II.

Fewer students are likely to know the name Ed Asner, though. But for those intrigued, April presents a perfect opportunity to find out more about him. On April 21, Pacific’s Performing Arts Series will host the one-man performance “Ed Asner as FDR.”

Asner first shot into the Hollywood spotlight in 1970, when he took on the character of Lou Grant, Mary Richards’ grumpy boss on the hit TV series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

After seven seasons, he carried the character over into his own show, “Lou Grant,” which lasted five years.

Later in his career, Asner took on other acclaimed roles, such as Captain Davies on the mini-series “Roots.” To young audiences, however, he may be best known for voicing Carl Fredricksen in the Pixar film “Up.”

Additionally, Asner has received seven Emmy Awards and five Golden Globe awards, and for a time was president of the Screen Actors Guild.

The performance will be held in Taylor-Meade Auditorium on Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $20 for youth and available by calling the box office at 503-352-2918. The box office is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The show takes the audience through Roosevelt’s years in the White House, which are often regarded as among the most important by many historians, but not without controversies.

From his packing of the Supreme Court to the events of Pearl Harbor, Asner’s one-man show goes in depth through the political affairs of the only man to be elected to four terms as president.

Not only that, the show ventures into Roosevelt’s personal life, showcasing not only his marriage to activist Eleanor Roosevelt, but his affair with Lucy Mercer as well.

For those who will be unable to make the performance of the show, a question and answer session with Asner will be held the next day, April 22. This will go from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Tom Miles Theater.