Edward Herrmann

SALISBURY— Edward Herrmann passed away on Dec. 31, 2014. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Edward was a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor with an impressive career that spanned more than 40 years in the theater, in films and on television.Edward Herrmann was born in Washington, D.C., on July 21,1943. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1965; shortly thereafter, he studied acting at the Dallas Theater Center and at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art on a Fulbright fellowship. Edward’s work on Broadway included “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” for which he won a Tony Award; “The Philadelphia Story,” for which he earned a Tony nomination; “Plenty” and “Love Letters.”Edward’s feature film credits included the soon-to-be-released, “The Town That Dreaded Sundown,” directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon in the role of Reverend Cartwright. Other films of note include “Nixon,” “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” “A Little Sex,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Annie,” “Reds,” “The Great Waldo Pepper,” “The Day of the Dolphin,” “Critical Care,” “Overboard,” “Big Business,” “Mrs. Soffel,” “Takedown,” “Richie Rich,” “The Paper Chase,” “Double Take,” “The Cat’s Meow,” “Down,” “The Emperor’s Club,” “Intolerable Cruelty,” “Welcome to Mooseport,” “Factory Girl” and “The Aviator.” He was recently seen in Matthew Weiner’s directorial debut film, “You Are Here,” opposite Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis and Amy Poehler. In 2007, Edward finished work on the series, “The Gilmore Girls,” in which he starred as the patriarch, Richard Gilmore. The show enjoyed seven critically acclaimed seasons and will live on in syndication. He recently recurred on the ABC show “Black Box” as well as a recurring role on CBS’s “The Good Wife,” and was most recently seen guest starring on “How I Met Your Mother,” “CSI,” “Harry’s Law,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Law & Order,” “Better With You,” “30 Rock” and recurring on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Edward also appeared in a six-episode story arc on “The Practice,” which earned him a 1999 Emmy Award. He also guest-starred in the 200th anniversary episode of “Law & Order” and in a recurring role on HBO’s “Oz.” Edward received additional Emmy nominations for his work on “St. Elsewhere,” the movie “Concealed Enemies” and “Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years.” Highlights of his television movie credits include “Atomic Train,” “Bendetta,” “Saint Maybe,” “Pandora’s Clock,” “Soul of Sentence,” “Fire in the Car,” “Morrow,” “The Lawrenceville Stories,” “Electrical Grandmother,” “A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story” and “The Last Act Is a Solo.”Edward also carried a full schedule of recording books on tape, having recorded more than 500. In 1999, he was awarded an Audie Award for his work in the complete recording of the King James Bible. Additionally, he served as the narrator for A&E Channel’s “History Lost and Found” and the series “Founding Fathers,” among other programs. Audiences will also have recognized his voice as the announcer for the History Channel over many years, as well as hosting the series “The Ultimate Auto,” which established him as a leading figure among automobile hobbyists. With many automobile restorations to his credit, Edward was an active participant in rallies and car shows. In 2001 he was honored by his alma mater, Bucknell University, for outstanding achievement in his chosen profession.He was passionate about life and truly valued the joys of family, travel, food, all forms of artistic expression and constant learning. He would often laugh and say, “Even at my age, I love that I can still be surprised by life!” After a one-year brave fight against a diagnosed stage IV glioblastoma brain tumor, Edward died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 71. We honor and will remember this man both in the legacy of his career that spanned more than four decades and his personal life’s accomplishments among his family and friends. Edward is survived by his loving family: his wife, Star; his son Rory and his wife, Melissa, and their daughter, Harper; his daughters, Ryen and her husband, Whitney, and Emma; and an older brother, John “Tony” Herrmann. In March, there will be a celebration of his life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edward Herrmann Memorial and Brain Cancer Research Fund at www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/edward-herrmann-memorial-brain-can... .The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon has charge of arrangements.