Louis 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 told CNN. to be confirmed.
He was 68 years old.
On Thursday, his friend, fellow comedian Polly Shore, tweeted that he said goodbye to Anderson and prayed for the ailing star.
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
— Pauly Shore (@PaulyShore) January 20, 2022
Born one of 11 children in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was a counselor for troubled children when he won the first-place trophy in the 1981 Midwest comedy competition.
The contest's host, famed comedian Henny Youngman, was so impressed that he hired Young Humor as a writer.
Anderson soon made his headlines on comedy stages across the country.
Johnny Carson invited Anderson to make his national television debut on "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 her doors to acting.
Anderson guest-starred in a number of TV series, including "Grace Under Fire," Touched by an Angel, and "Chicago Hope", and has appeared in films such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Coming to America" and its sequels. Appeared in movies. 2 America," opposite Eddie Murphy.
He voiced a fictionalized version of his 8-year-old self in the popular 1990s animated series "Life with Louie", which ran for three years.
Most recently, Anderson appeared in "Young Sheldon", had a recurring role in the dark comedy "Search Party" and joined the cast of the hit BET series, "Twenties".
Critics took notice when Anderson was cast in 2016 to co-star with Zach Galifianakis and Martha Kelly in the hit FX comedy series "Baskets."
Anderson played "Christine", the parent of the Basquet clan, and was based on the character of her mother and her five sisters, whom she said were a major presence in her life.
The role earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series as well as a Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Anderson was also a best-selling author.
His books include "Dear Dad - Letters from an Adult Child," "Good-bye Jumbo... Hello Cruel World," and "The F Word, How to Survive Your Family."
Her most recent book, "Hey Mom", was published in 2018 and shares a "mixed wit and poignant humour" while sharing her journey of turning life's challenges into joy as well as the immense wisdom she gained from her late mother .
In the family of Anderson, he has two sisters Lisa and Shanna Anderson.