Alan Rosenberg: I've always believed, maybe it is hope against hope that one becomes a better actor the older one gets. Do you think that's true?

Ed Asner: Absolutely, I've never been better than I am now. I don't leap tall buildings like I used to, but ahh, ahh in terms of acting, in terms of reading the music I've never been better and ahh the anger I constantly feel is that with my added age I have fewer opportunities to display that music

Alan Rosenberg: How is, how is getting older different from what you expected?

Ed Asner: It's not getting older, it's the physical encumbrances that take place. My mind can be as young as when I was 18, except more intelligent. I miss, you know I miss just the fact of going out in the garden and digging in the soil, which I used to do all the time. I'm not equipped to do that as I once was and I miss that.

Alan Rosenberg: As you look back, ahh, over your life and, and your career, any regrets?

Ed Asner: No, I really have very few. I, I have many regrets that I didn't control my money, umm, according to most people's thoughts I should be rich, unfortunately that is a tremendous mistake. Ahh, so I need to keep working and umm, I umm, I never could learn money management.

Alan Rosenberg: Well... if you truly were wealthy would you stop working? You ever think about retirement?

Ed Asner: No, because my only usage is as an actor. It was... I was a metal finisher; I worked in the steel mills; I drove a cab; I sold over the phone; I was terrible at all those jobs and the only job I ever took pride in and still do is my acting.