Edward Herrmann, best known for playing Richard Gilmore on the hit TV series Gilmore Girls, passed away earlier today at the age of 71. TMZ reports that the actor had been battling brain cancer, and spent the past three and a half weeks in the intensive care unit. His family ultimately decided to take him off the respirator after his condition showed no signs of improvement. The actor had been diagnosed with a Stage 4 glioblastoma brain tumor earlier this year. Here's what Edward Herrmann's manager, Robbie Kass, had to say about the actor's passing in a brief statement.

"Besides being an accomplished actor, Ed was also a true gentleman and a scholar, as well as being an incredibly kind and decent man. He will be sorely missed."

Edward Herrmann was born July 21, 1943 in Washington D.C. He grew up in the Detroit area and studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art on a Fullbright Fellowship. The towering actor, who stood 6'5", performed in several repertory stage productions in Dallas early in his career. His most notable film roles include Max Eastman in Reds, FDR in the original Annie, Henry in The Purple Rose of Cairo, Max in The Lost Boys, Grant Stayton III in Overboard, Richard Rich in Ri¢hie Ri¢h and Joseph Breen in The Aviator.

He played Gilmore family patriarch Richard Gilmore in the hit TV series Gilmore Girls, appearing in all 154 episodes during the show's run from 2000 to 2007. He won an Emmy Award in 1999 for guest starring on ABC's The Practice, and he was also nominated for four other Emmys. His most recent TV appearances include arcs on The Good Wife and Harry's Law. He also provided voiceover work for last year's The Wolf of Wall Street, and most recently starred in this year's big screen remake The Town That Dreaded Sundown. In 1999, he hosted a program on the History Channel entitled History's Lost and Found, which lead to the actor either hosting or narrating dozens of History Channel programs. He is survived by his wife Star Benson and three children.