Nancy Sykes was the first wife of Ed Asner, the late American actor, and comedian who became famous for playing the role of Lou Grant on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, for which he won best-supporting actor three times at the Emmys.
Following the death of Nancy Sykes’s husband, popular actor and comedian Ed Asner, in August 2021, attention was drawn to his family such as his wife and children. One person who caught many’s attention was his first wife, Nancy Sykes. This article unveils the details of her life and career.
Summary of Nancy Sykes’ Biography
- Full Name: Nancy Lou Sykes
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: January 26, 1930
- Date of death: April 2019
- Nancy Sykes’ Age: 79 Years Old
- Ethnicity: White
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Nancy Sykes’ Ex-husband: Ed Asner (deceased)
- Nancy Sykes’ Children: Liza Asner, Matthew Asner, Kathryn Asner
- Nancy Sykes’ Height in Inches: 5 feet 7 inches
- Height in Centimetres: 170.18cm
- Nancy Sykes’ Weight: 70kg
- Nancy Sykes’ Net Worth: $800k
- Famous for: Being late Ed Asner’s first wife
- Nancy Sykes’ Instagram: @nancylsykes
Nancy Sykes Was Born in the United States
Nancy Lou Sykes was born on January 26 1930 to her parents in the United States of America. So much about her early life has not been revealed, including information about her parents, such as their names and occupation. Nancy was a devout Christian and an American by nationality. She was of white ethnicity, with her zodiac sign being Aquarius.
Not so much is known of her family as the celebrity wife was not generous with information about her family life. According to sources, she had her primary and high school education in her hometown and was very active while in school as she participated in various extra-curriculum activities.
A shot from @TelevisionAcad the Emmys in 1979. We were ready to party. @TheOnlyEdAsner pic.twitter.com/AiPWke3maf
— Matt Asner (@masner) October 9, 2021
After graduating high school, the late Nancy Sykes went further to get her higher education at a well-recognized University. Nancy was not the only child of her parents; she grew up alongside her siblings, even though their names are unknown.
Nancy Sykes Became Ed Asner’s Wife In 1959
Nancy Sykes and her husband Ed Asner lived together for about 29 years. The couple got married in 1959 in a simple wedding ceremony which close friends and family members attended. There is no record of how they met, but like most couples, the pair had met each other and, after getting acquainted, began dating each other for some time before taking their relationship to the next level by tying the nuptial knot.
Their union was blessed with three children; twins named Liza Asner and Matthew Asner, who were born on September 9, 1963, and their younger daughter named Kathryn Asner, who was born three years later in 1966. Ed Asner had another child named Charles Edward from his affair with Carol Jean Vogelman who happened to be his personal assistant.
Their Marriage Ended As A Result of Ed Asner’s Extra-Marital Affair
Unfortunately, after living together peacefully for 29 years, Nancy and Ed Asner’s marriage ended in 1988. The reason for their divorce was not made public by the couple, as they never disclosed what had transpired between them, but it has been revealed that the union ended as a result of Ed Asner’s affair with another woman.
After their divorce, Nancy Sykes never remarried as she focused on her career and raising her children. On the other hand, her late ex-husband Ed Asner got remarried to a woman named Cindy Gilmore, although they later divorced in 2015.
Nancy Sykes’s Late Ex-Husband Ed Asner Was a Popular Hollywood Actor
Eddie Asner popularly known by his stage name Ed Asner was a well-known actor and two-time president of the Screen Actors Guild. He was born on November 15, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States.
The late actor began his career in 1950 and appeared in a number of popular movies and TV series. Ed Asner is best for depicting the character Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show which aired during the 1970s and early 1980s. He had featured in movies such as El Dorado (1967), Elf (2003), The Murder Men (1961), Gigantic (2008), and many others.
While alive, Ed Asner enjoyed a successful career and received about seven awards in his career history. Nancy Sykes’ late ex-husband is the most honored male performer in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards.
According to reports, Ed Asner died at 91 on August 29, 2021, in his residence in Tarzana, California, United States. The cause of his death remains unknown as the family has not disclosed any information concerning his death. However, Nancy Sykes was thrown into the limelight following his death.
What Was Nancy Sykes’ Net Worth?
Nancy Sykes’ net worth was unclear at the time of her death with several sources quoting varying figures. The most quoted figure is $800,000. Whether that is accurate remains to be seen as the celebrity wife never disclosed her earnings to the public. On the other hand, her late ex-husband had a net worth estimated to be around $10 million before his death.
Where Is Nancy Sykes, Now Is She Dead?
It’s been a week since you’ve been gone. My emotions are still raw. But I am starting to shift emotionally. You are always with me. You are in me, my sisters, my wife, your grand children and all of the people that you loved and that loved you in life. pic.twitter.com/Jk9zlAFdjn
— Matt Asner (@masner) April 26, 2019
Nancy Lou Sykes was not heard from or seen for a long time, which raised many questions about where she is now and what she has been up to. Sadly, Nancy passed away in 2019.
This news was confirmed by a tweet from her son, Matthew Asner, on his Twitter account on April 26, 2019, where he dedicated a post to her stating how much she means to him and his family and that everyone will greatly miss her.
The following year on April 19, 2020, Matthew posted a collage of photos of her on his Twitter account in remembrance of her death as it marked one year since she left the earth.
Skyes Worked As a Crew Member In Film Production While She Lived
Nancy Sykes’s professional life history has remained very sketchy as she never divulged much about her career. According to IMDb, the celebrity wife, while alive, worked as a crew member on several film and television production between 1993 and early 2010. She primarily provided craft services and was credited as a stand-in for the films Shadowhunter (1993) and Fast Getaway II (1994).
In 2012, Nancy received recognition for her final contribution to the Disney series Kickin’ It after which she went off the grid and was not heard of for a very long time.
She had also appeared in various magazines with her late husband while they were still together and attended public events with him. In July 1983, Nancy, alongside her late ex-husband Ed Asner and her twin children, appeared in the Krull World Premiere at the Academy Theater in Beverly Hills, California.
She was also at the Actors Fund Benefit event held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on September 12, 1987, with her late husband.
