Edward Herrmann, the adaptable actor who was known for roles such as father and grandfather Richard Gilmore on the TV series Gilmore Girls, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and law professor Anderson Pearson on The Practice, died on Wednesday. Herrmann was 71.

He passed away at a New York hospital surrounded by family. His manager, Robbie Kass, said that a brain tumor was his cause of death. Kass said that beyond being a gifted actor, Herrmann was a scholar, a gentleman and was “incredibly kind.”

Lauren Graham, who played Herrmann’s on-screen daughter Lorelai Gilmore in the 9-season-long Gilmore Girls, shared in a tweet that she thought Herrmann was the “kindest, classiest, most talented man.” She also expressed her grief and called his loss a “devastating blow.”

Herrmann’s on-screen wife Emily Gilmore, Kelly Bishop, said that the cast of Gilmore Girls is “terribly sad” and surprised by his death. She added that Herrmann’s wife called informing her of his illness and asking if she wanted to tell Herrmann goodbye one week ago. She said she went and was able to “give love” from the other cast members. Bishop called him an “absolutely delightful” man.

Herrmann’s career spanned more than four decades and played roles ranging from major to minor. The melodic-voiced actor’s favorite role was playing President Roosevelt in various projects such as the 1976 TV movie Eleanor and Franklin, the sequel Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years and the 1982 musical film Annie. He was nominated for an Emmy for Eleanor and Franklin and Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years.

He was also the voice of Roosevelt in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, a documentary series by Ken Burns which premiered on PBS in 2013. His voice appeared on several audio books, like Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, as well.

Herrmann had several other noteworthy roles. He appeared as a surgeon on an episode of M*A*S*H in 1980, and he had a recurring role on the 1980s medical drama St. Elsewhere that earned him two Emmy nominations. His only Emmy win came from his performance in The Practice. In addition, he played the role of Richard Gilmore, the witty grandfather with a big heart, from 2000 to 2007.

Herrmann also took his versatile talent to the stage. He won a Tony for his role in the revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession. 

He recently participated in the big-time film Wolf of Wall Street, but most recently, Herrmann was playing Lionel Deerfield in the CBS political drama The Good Wife. According to his Internet Movie Database page, Herrmann has 130 credits in total.

In an interview with the A.V. Club in 2012, Herrmann expressed his love and excitement for every role he played whether it was a starring role or a supporting one. He praised his co-stars and mentioned forgotten films such as Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star and Harry’s War. He consistently said that he had “a great time.”

Herrmann is survived by his two daughters, his son and his wife Star Benson. A private funeral was planned, and there will be a public memorial next week, according to Fox News.