Edward Herrmann, famed character actor and ‘Gilmore Girls’ star, dies at 71

Edward Herrmann, the famed character actor best known in recent years for his starring role in “Gilmore Girls,” died on Wednesday at age 71, his representative confirmed to Buzzfeed. His family told TMZ that the actor was battling brain cancer.

Herrmann, who got his Hollywood start in movies like “The Paper Chase” (1973) and was known for other roles in “The Lost Boys” and “Overboard” in 1987, did extensive work in movies, television and on Broadway. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards for starring as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1970s TV movies, including HBO’s “Eleanor and Franklin,” and earned multiple guest actor Emmy trophies for stints on “The Practice” and “St. Elsewhere.”

He became particularly beloved to a younger audience when he starred on the WB’s “Gilmore Girls” (2000 through 2007) as wealthy businessman Richard Gilmore, who had a rocky relationship with his daughter, Lorelai (Lauren Graham), when she became pregnant at age 16. Throughout the series, fans loved the spark between Herrmann and his TV wife, Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) as well as his close bond with his granddaughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel).

Herrmann was born in Washington, where his father worked for the government. Though he grew up in Michigan, he came back to the District in 1971 to star in an Arena Stage production of “Moonchildren.” (Five years later, he won a Tony Award for starring in “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” on Broadway.)

In recent years, he also became one of those character actors who showed up everywhere on TV, from sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” to legal drama “The Good Wife.”

Clip from “Eleanor and Franklin”:

Interview with Maryland Theatre Guide:

With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:

And “Gilmore Girls”: