Bryan Stalder
Contributor

As holiday traditions return and families settle in for their annual viewing of classic Christmas movies, Kansas Citians may be surprised to learn that a familiar face is at rest just down the street in Sheffield Cemetery (6200 Wilson Ave).

Every December, millions rewatch Elf, the modern Christmas classic starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, the relentlessly cheerful human raised by elves. One of the film’s most memorable moments comes when Buddy hears that Santa will be visiting a department store and erupts with pure joy: “Santa! Oh my God! I know him!” What many viewers in Northeast Kansas City don’t realize is that the man beneath the red suit is one of our own—Ed Asner, actor, activist and Kansas City native.

Asner (1929-2021) grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, graduated from Wyandotte High School and went on to become one of the most decorated performers in American television history. Though he later became a household name in Hollywood, his Midwestern roots remained an important part of his story. When he passed away in 2021, he was laid to rest in Sheffield Cemetery, right here in our neighborhood. His parents and several siblings are also buried there, forming a family connection that long predated his fame.

Generations know Asner as the gruff but big-hearted Lou Grant from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a role that earned him multiple Emmy Awards and cemented his place in TV history. A new generation met him through Pixar’s Up, where he voiced Carl Fredricksen, the widower whose sky-high adventure became an instant classic. More recently, younger viewers encountered him in the first season of Cobra Kai, where he played Sid Weinberg, the sharp-tongued stepfather of Johnny Lawrence.

Still, it’s his turn as Santa in Elf that circles back into living rooms every holiday season. Asner’s Santa—matter-of-fact but warm, slightly gruff yet deeply kind—reflects the very qualities that defined many of his most enduring roles: characters with sturdy exteriors and unmistakable hearts.

For Northeast residents, there’s something special about knowing that the man who brought so much joy, humor and humanity to the screen is resting in a place many of us pass every day. During the holidays, visitors sometimes leave small mementos at his gravesite—flowers, notes, Christmas ornaments or tokens representing his beloved roles. It’s a simple, heartfelt way to honor an actor who spent a lifetime giving gifts to audiences around the world.

So as you settle in to watch Elf this year, or revisit Up, or stream another episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, take a moment to remember that Ed Asner—one of Hollywood’s most familiar faces—is part of our neighborhood’s history. And just like Santa, he’s closer than you might think.