Coming To America star Louie Anderson dead at 68 after cancer battle
US comedian and actor Louie Anderson has died aged 68 following a battle with cancer.
The stand-up, who won an Emmy for his role in TV comedy Baskets, had been receiving treatment for diffuse large B cell lymphoma at a hospital in Las Vegas.
"Iconic comedian Louie Anderson passed away peacefully on Friday morning January 21 in Las Vegas at age 68," a statement from his representative said.
Anderson's longtime publicist Glenn Schwartz also confirmed his passing to Deadline.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Anderson's career spanned 40 years as he progressed from the US stand-up club circuit to being named 'One of 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time' by Comedy Central.
He featured in numerous films, including Ferris Bueller's Day Off and both Coming To America and the 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America, alongside Eddie Murphy.
Anderson hosted the popular US game show Family Feud for a number of years and also co-created and starred in the cartoon sitcom Life With Louie, which was based on his childhood. The role earned him two Daytime Emmy Awards.
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In 2016, he was cast to star alongside Zach Galifianakis and Martha Kelly in FX comedy series Baskets.
He won an Emmy Award in 2016 for his role as Christine and two other nominations for outstanding supporting actor.
He also guest-starred on Big Bang Theory spin-off Young Sheldon as Ralph, an employee at a trophy store, and was a recurring character in the TBS dark comedy Search Party.
Anderson was also a bestselling author whose works included Dear Dad, about his relationship with his alcoholic father, and Good-bye Jumbo...Hello Cruel World, which looked at his own struggle with food addiction and self-esteem.
His most recent book, Hey Mom, was published in 2018 and paid tribute to the enduring influence of his late mother.
Anderson is survived by his two sisters, Lisa and Shanna Anderson.
With reporting by AAP.
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