Actor Edward Herrmann passed away this past Wednesday morning in a New York hospital after battling brain cancer. He was 71 years old. Hermann is perhaps best known for playing Richard Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls," but he was a part of many popular shows such as "The Good Wife" and "How I Met Your Mother."

According to TMZ, Herrmann had been in ICU for the last 3 1/2 weeks. Ultimately, his condition did not improve, and his family decided to take him off the respirator. 

Fox News reports that he passed away in Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. When he died, was surrounded by family members including his wife, Star, and his three children.

His son, Rory Herrmann, stated, "He was full of knowledge and kindness and goodness... He always wanted to share the great and beautiful things in life."

Aside from the more recent TV shows listed above, the 6'5'' actor played roles in TV movies, including "Eleanor and Franklin" (1976), its sequel "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years" (1977) and the 1982 movie musical "Annie."

Coming Soon reports that Herrmann's voice can also be heard narrating many documentaries and TV specials, including his return to voice Franklin Roosevelt on PBS's "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History."

He was also seen on the big screen in movies such as "Reds" and "The Wolf of Wall Street."

Lauren Graham, his TV daughter, remembered him fondly, stating, "My friend Ed Herrmann was the kindest, classiest, most talented man.  It was an honor and a joy to know him, a devastating blow to lose him."

Besides his wife Star and his son Rory, Hermann is survived by his daughters Ryen and Emma. A private funeral has been planned, followed by a public memorial early next week.