Edward Herrmann

Edward Kirk Herrmann (July 21, 1943 – December 31, 2014) was an American actor, director, and writer. He was best known for his portrayals of Franklin D. Roosevelt in both the miniseries Eleanor and Franklin (1976) and 1982 film musical Annie, Richard Gilmore in Amy Sherman-Palladino's comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls (2000–2007), and a ubiquitous narrator for historical programs on The History Channel and in such PBS productions as Nova. He was also known in the 1990s as a spokesman for Dodge automobiles.

Herrmann started working in theatre on Broadway in 1972 with his debut in Moonchildren alongside James Woods. He received two Tony Award nominations, winning for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Mrs. Warren's Profession at the 30th Tony Awards in 1976. Herrmann received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in The Practice at the 51st Primetime Emmy Awards in 1999. He also received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture with the cast of Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995) at the 2nd Screen Actor's Guild Awards. Herrmann became known as a character actor, having appeared in various films such as Warren Beatty's Reds (1981), Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Garry Marshall's Overboard (1987), Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys (1987), Martin Scorsese's The Aviator (2004) and Chris Rock's I Think I Love My Wife (2007).