Thread: Edward Herrmann, ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘Lost Boys’ Actor, Dies at 71

December 31, 2014 | 12:12PM PT




Edward Herrmann, the actor who gained fame playing a young FDR on TV but was known more recently as the patriarch of “Gilmore Girls,� has died, his manager confirmed to Buzzfeed News. He was 71.

Herrmann, who co-starred with Jane Alexander in a pair of much-praised “Eleanor and Franklin� telepics in 1976 and 1977, had been previously diagnosed with brain cancer. His family told TMZ that he had been in the ICU in a New York hospital for the past three and a half weeks, and they decided to take him off the respirator when his condition did not improve.

His accolades include an Emmy in 1999 for his guest appearances as a law professor on “The Practice� and a Tony in 1976 for the play “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.� Most recently, he appeared on several episodes of CBS’ “The Good Wife� and “How I Met Your Mother� and ABC’s “Black Box.�

In the 1980s he logged a guest stint as priest on NBC’s “St. Elsewhere.� He was also seen in several episodes of HBO’s gritty prison drama “Oz,� NBC’s “Law & Order� and “Harry’s Law� and ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.�

His notable film roles included 1981’s “Reds,� playing the father of Macaulay Culkin in 1994’s “Richie Rich,� as well as Max in 1987’s “The Lost Boys.� Earlier in his career he had roles in “The Paper Chase� (1973), “The Great Gatsby� (1974), “The Great Waldo Pepper� (1975), “The North Avenue Irregulars� (1979), “Annie� and “A Little Sex� (1982) and “The Purple Rose of Cairo� (1985).

Herrmann was a series regular as Richard Gilmore on “Gilmore Girls,� which ran from 2000-2007 (first on the WB, then the CW). He earned two Emmy nominations for his work in “Eleanor and Franklin� and “Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years.� The actor was nominated for five Emmys overall. He also nabbed a second Tony nom in 1983 for the play “Plenty.�

Herrmann’s resonant voice made him a favorite choice as narrator of documentaries and specials and for voiceover work. He did a slew of such specials for A&E, History Channel and PBS over the years.

Herrmann was married twice and is survived by three children.

http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/edwa...ys-1201390186/