Louie Anderson, an Emmy winner whose career spanned from stand-up and game show host to starring roles in TV and film, died Friday in Las Vegas from complications related to cancer, his publicist Glenn Schwartz confirmed to CNN.
He was 68.
Born one of 11 children in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was a counselor for troubled children when he won a the first--place trophy at the 1981 Midwest Comedy Competition.
The host of the competition, legendary comedian Henny Youngman, was so impressed that he hired the young comic as a writer.
Anderson was soon basking in his own spotlight on comedy stages all over the country.
Johnny Carson invited Anderson to make his national television debut on the "The Tonight Show" in 1984 and Anderson's career took off.
Appearances with Jay Leno, David Letterman, "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," "Comic Relief," as well as Showtime and HBO specials further cemented him as one of Hollywood's top comedians.
But it was hosting the beloved game show "Family Feud" in 1999 that made Anderson a household name and opened doors for him into acting.
Anderson guest-starred in multiple TV series, including "Grace Under Fire," Touched by an Angel" and "Chicago Hope," and he appeared in films like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Coming to America" and its sequel "Coming 2 America," opposite Eddie Murphy.
He was 68.
Born one of 11 children in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was a counselor for troubled children when he won a the first--place trophy at the 1981 Midwest Comedy Competition.
The host of the competition, legendary comedian Henny Youngman, was so impressed that he hired the young comic as a writer.
Anderson was soon basking in his own spotlight on comedy stages all over the country.
Johnny Carson invited Anderson to make his national television debut on the "The Tonight Show" in 1984 and Anderson's career took off.
Appearances with Jay Leno, David Letterman, "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," "Comic Relief," as well as Showtime and HBO specials further cemented him as one of Hollywood's top comedians.
But it was hosting the beloved game show "Family Feud" in 1999 that made Anderson a household name and opened doors for him into acting.
Anderson guest-starred in multiple TV series, including "Grace Under Fire," Touched by an Angel" and "Chicago Hope," and he appeared in films like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Coming to America" and its sequel "Coming 2 America," opposite Eddie Murphy.
