Tony and Emmy award-winning actor Edward Herrmann, best known for playing the role of the father on the hit TV series Gilmore Girls and movies like Franklin and Eleonor, died on December 31 at a New York City hospital. He was 71 years old.

His son Rory Herrmann said that his father's death was due to brain cancer.

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He was a tall man measuring 6'5'' and he has got this commanding voice that made his mark in the industry over the years of his work in the field of dramatic arts and television.

Herrmann was also known for his portrayal of the late Franklin Roosevelt, the president who battled with polio when he was a young man and eventually led the US through the depression during the Second World War.

The late actor learned that FDR was a private man, that he was even more private than his wife Eleanor. He said in an interview back in 1977 that the role was quite difficult. He didn't try to imitate him, but rather can suggest him.

Herrmann said that he worked for hundreds of hours to study and research about the late president by going through some of his recorded accounts. The fact that FDR had polio was the challenging part for the actor.

He also said that he referenced a 30-second film from 1920 that showed FDR going to a porch and shaking hands with people. He then played the role of the president once again for the movie Annie in 1982.

He was also known in the Broadway world, garnering a Tony Award for his role in a production created by George Bernard Shaw called Mrs. Warren's Profession, where he played opposite to Lynn Redgrave as the lead character, Vivie Warren. These are just among the many remarkable works accounted to this talented actor.

TagsGilmore Girls, Edward Herrmann, FDR, roosevelt, franklin roosevelt