Asner, 79, visited the school at Principal Betsy Davidson’s request. Asner, who was in town for a one-night performance at Rose State College, said it was a request he could not deny.
"Her granddad was one of the finest men in my life,” Asner said. "I treasure anything and everything about him including his granddaughter.”
Asner, 79, is a former student of the late Edward Ellis, a former teacher and football coach at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. Ellis was Davidson’s grandfather.
Asner, who is known for his roles in the "Mary Tyler Moore” show and hit movies such as "Elf” and "Up,” played right tackle on Ellis’ football team in the 1940s. Asner said the lessons that Ellis taught him in and out of the classroom shaped his character and changed the course of his life.
"He influenced me,” Asner said. "He was my football coach but he taught me in brief swatches a lot about life and I appreciate it.”
Davidson said she grew up hearing stories about the friendship that her grandparents shared with Asner, but she never got to meet him. Even after Asner became famous, he visited her grandparents and took them to events.
For his part, Ellis always kept a picture of Asner on his desk, Davidson said.
When her grandfather died, Davidson spoke with Asner briefly on the phone when he called to offer his condolences. She said meeting him Friday was a dream come true.
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