LOS ANGELES — 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 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.”
His notable film roles included playing the father of Macaulay Culkin in 1994’s “Richie Rich,” as well as Max in 1987’s “The Lost Boys.”
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 nomination in 1983 for the play “Plenty.”
Herrmann’s resonant voice made him a favorite choice as narrator of documentaries and specials and for voice-over 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.