When the news broke on New Year’s Eve in 2014, it didn't just feel like another celebrity passing. For fans of Gilmore Girls, it felt like losing a grandfather. Edward Herrmann, the man who brought the towering, bow-tied Richard Gilmore to life, was gone at 71. He was the kind of actor who felt permanent—steady, eloquent, and seemingly invincible in his sophistication.
He died in a New York City hospital. It was sudden for the public, but the truth behind the Edward Herrmann cause of death reveals a private, grueling battle that he kept hidden from almost everyone, including his closest co-stars.
The Quiet Fight Against Glioblastoma
The medical reality was a Stage 4 glioblastoma. This is a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. It starts in the brain or spinal cord and grows with a speed that is honestly terrifying. Herrmann had been fighting the disease for about a year before he passed.
Glioblastomas are insidious. They don't just sit there; they infiltrate the surrounding brain tissue, making them nearly impossible to fully remove through surgery. Even with the best medical care in the world, the prognosis for Stage 4 is usually measured in months, not years.
He didn't want the world to know. Ed was a "proud dude," as Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino once put it. He didn't want the pity or the "sick actor" narrative trailing him. He wanted to work. He wanted to be the gentleman and the scholar that everyone already believed him to be.
Why the Gilmore Girls Cast Was Caught Off Guard
You’ve probably heard stories about how close-knit the cast was. They were. But even Kelly Bishop—who played his on-screen wife, Emily Gilmore, for seven seasons—didn't know he was dying until the very end.
Kelly actually found out by accident. She was scanning Page Six in the New York Post when she saw a tiny blurb about a legal dispute involving Ed’s business manager. Buried in that article were the words: "Herrmann, 71, who is battling brain cancer."
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She stared at those words for ten minutes. She thought it was a mistake.
It wasn’t until a few weeks later that Ed’s wife, Star, called Kelly. She invited her to the hospital to say goodbye. By the time Kelly arrived, Ed was comatose. He was surrounded by monitors and tubes, a far cry from the vibrant, martini-sipping man she’d shared crossword puzzles with in the makeup trailer.
A Final Goodbye
The family was incredibly selective about who they let into that room. Kelly was one of the only non-family members invited. She whispered to him that Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, and Amy Sherman-Palladino sent their love.
She kissed his forehead. She left a lipstick print.
He died shortly after, on December 31, 2014. The timing was brutal. While the rest of the world was gearing up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, one of Hollywood’s classiest actors was taking his final breath.
The Legacy of a "Gentleman Elitist"
It’s funny how people describe him. Kelly Bishop used to call him a bit of an "elitist," but not in a mean way. He just loved learning. He loved history. He loved 17th-century poetry and restoring classic cars.
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He was 6-foot-5. He had a voice like honey and a wit that could cut through steel.
Beyond Gilmore Girls, his career was massive. He won a Tony for The Profession. He won an Emmy for The Practice. He played Franklin D. Roosevelt so many times that people basically associated him with the New Deal.
But for most of us, he was Richard. The guy who defended his daughter even when they were fighting. The guy who taught his granddaughter how to handle the world of high society.
How the Revival Handled His Absence
When Netflix greenlit Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life in 2016, the writers had a massive problem. How do you do the show without Richard?
They decided to make his death the catalyst for the entire story. The revival starts with his funeral. We see Emily Gilmore grappling with the "colossal" void he left behind. That giant portrait of him in the living room wasn't just a prop; it was a tribute.
There’s a famous story from the set of the revival. Kelly Bishop was standing there, missing him, and she called out to him. "Come on, Ed! Come see us!"
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Suddenly, the lights on the set blew out. Everything electronic just died.
The cast took it as a sign. Ed was there, probably laughing at them in his sophisticated, mischievous way.
What We Can Learn From His Journey
Brain cancer is a thief. It takes brilliant minds and makes them quiet. If you or someone you love is dealing with a similar diagnosis, understanding the aggressive nature of glioblastoma is the first step in managing expectations.
- Early Detection is Tricky: Symptoms like persistent headaches, personality changes, or vision issues often get brushed off as stress or aging.
- Privacy is a Choice: Like Herrmann, many choose to keep their health battles private to maintain a sense of normalcy. Respecting that boundary is the kindest thing a fan or friend can do.
- Legacy Matters: Herrmann’s work as a narrator and actor ensures his voice literally lives on.
If you're feeling a bit nostalgic, the best way to honor his memory is to watch his work. Not just the Gilmore stuff. Check out his narration in The Roosevelts or his performance in The Lost Boys.
He wasn't just an actor; he was a standard-bearer for a certain kind of grace that feels rare these days.
Next Steps for Fans: If you want to support brain cancer research in Edward Herrmann's honor, look into the National Brain Tumor Society or the American Cancer Society. They fund the research that might one day make glioblastoma a treatable condition rather than a terminal one. You can also re-watch "A Year in the Life" to see how his real-world passing was woven into the fabric of the show he loved so much.