Emmy award winner and comedian Louie Anderson has passed away after complications with cancer, as reported by Entertainment Tonight .
Louie was 68-years-old.
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Louie’s rep, Glenn Schwartz, confirmed the comedian passed away peacefully in a statement to ET.
Glenn had previously revealed that Louie had been diagnosed with a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The 68-year-old was best known for his role as Maurice in “Coming to America” and “Coming to America 2.”
He also played Christine Baskets on the series Baskets — a role that earned him an Emmy.
RIP Louie Anderson.
Despite gaining mainstream popularity in the 2010s, Louie was a familiar face for comedy fans through much of the ’80s and ’90s.
He was known for his good-natured stand-up performances and frequent appearances on late-night talk shows, where he was always a delight to watch.
As fans may also recall, Louie was a fan-favorite host of “Family Feud” from 1999 to 2002.
Louie also produced the animated series Life With Louie , and his rather short-lived sitcom, The Louie Show.
Just hours before Louie’s death, comedian Pauly Shore tweeted:
“Attention comedians and @TheComedyStore alumni’s I say this with a heavy heart just left the hospital in Las Vegas where Louie Anderson his sisters and close friend were kind enough to let me say my goodbyes he’s still with us but keep him in your prayers.”
Louie’s rep Glenn Schwartz gave fans an emotional statement to pay homage to the beloved comedian.
“Anderson crafted comedy routines that rang true for his early club audiences while reducing them to helpless fits of laughter, routines that led him from his career as a counselor to troubled children to the first-place trophy at the 1981 Midwest Comedy Competition,” he wrote .
Louie’s role on “Baskets” as Christine Baskets, mother to twins played by Zach Galifianakis, introduced him to a whole new generation of fans.
He received three consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance before finally winning in 2016.
As fans may know, Louie based his character of Christine on his mother and his five sisters.
It’s clear the beloved comedian and host will be missed by friends, family and fans.
RIP Louie.
