EXCLUSIVE

Edward Herrmann -- perhaps best known for playing Richard Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls" -- died this morning in a hospital in New York. He was 71.

Herrmann's family tells TMZ he had been battling brain cancer and had been in ICU for the last 3 1/2 weeks. Ultimately, things did not improve and his family decided to take him off the respirator.

Herrmann was married twice and and his second wife Star tells TMZ the actor leaves behind 3 children.

Herrmann was on "Gilmore Girls" for its entire run and recently appeared in several episodes of "The Good Wife." He was also nominated for an emmy for his portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the '70's, was the head vampire in "The Lost Boys," and famously starred alongside Macaulay Culkin in "Richie Rich."

Lauren Graham -- Herrmann's TV daughter -- tweeted, "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."

Play video content

Play video content