An actor with German ancestry, Edward Herrmann was born on July 21, 1943 in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and graduated from Bucknell University. Later on, he studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art on a Fullbright Fellowship.
In 1976, Edward Herrmann rose to prominence for his uncanny portrayal of the American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt in two made-for-TV movies. One was in Eleanor and Franklin, and the other was its sequel, Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. He also portrayed the president on the first feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical Annie, released in 1982. This was followed by an Emmy-nominated appearance in St. Elsewhere, and a 1983 Tony Award nomination for his work on Plenty. His next big role was in Fox’s 1995 telefilm, Here Come the Munsters, in which he landed the part of Herman Munster. In 1999, Hermann garnered an Emmy award for his guest appearance in The Practice. He also snagged a Tony Award due to his performance in Mrs. Warren’s Profession.
From 2000 to 20007, Edward Hermann became known for his role as Richard Gilmore on the CW series Gilmore Girls. Despite his fame on television, he began his career in films. He was Robert Redford’s partner in The Great Waldo Pepper, a piano player in The Great Gatsby, and a law student in The Paper Chase. He also appeared alongside Goldie Hawn in Overboard, and had a part in Disney’s The North Avenue Irregulars. Herrmann worked with Woody Allen on The Purple Rose of Cairo, and played the head vampire in the film The Lost Boys. His other films include Relative Strangers, Factory Girl, The Pleasure of Your Company, I Think I Love My Wife and 2004’s The Aviator. He later on booked guest spots on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and 30 Rock. In addition to acting, he has done voice work for many specials in The History Channel and PBS. Herrmann has been credited for his participation in audio books as well, like Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.