The Catholic Defender: The John Herrmann story, an Actor who put his Catholic Faith first

Edward Herrmann (often conflated with his father, John Anthony Herrmann, or his brother, John). 

Best known for his iconic roles as the Gilmore family patriarch Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, Franklin D. Roosevelt in several acclaimed projects, and the narrator of numerous PBS and History Channel documentaries, Herrmann viewed his acting profession and his Roman Catholic faith as one unified discipline.

raised Unitarian and spent years exploring Eastern philosophies and Buddhism alongside a guru. Looking back at the transient Hollywood lifestyles of the 1960s and '70s, he later described those years as unfulfilling and hollow. 

His ultimate conversion to Roman Catholicism came from a desire for transcendental permanence. He was deeply attracted to the intellectual rigor of Catholic theology, the history of the Mass, and the comforting familiarity of set prayers.

Once he converted, Herrmann's worldview shifted. He famously refused to separate his spiritual convictions from his commercial success, implementing his faith into his daily life and work in several distinct ways

The Actor's Discipline as Prayer: Herrmann famously viewed the arts as an extension of spiritual life. He believed that diving honestly into human characters was a way to better understand God's creation.

Daily Devotion on Set: No matter where he was filming, he made it a strict habit to read daily from The Imitation of Christ, a classic Catholic devotional book by Thomas à Kempis, using it as an anchor against the distractions of show business.

A Private Sanctuary: At his home in Michigan, Herrmann built a private chapel where he could retreat for Mass, personal prayer, and quiet reflection away from the spotlight.

Interfaith and Charitable Outreach: He did not hide his beliefs; he served actively on the board of the Actors Fund, supported the Salvation Army, and was a prominent participant in the Broadway Blessing—an annual interfaith service that brings the New York theater community together to invoke God's blessing on the new season.

When Edward Herrmann died of brain cancer on New Year's Eve in 2014, he left behind a reputation not only as an Emmy- and Tony-winning master of his craft but also as a dedicated man of God who proved that an actor could reach the highest tiers of Hollywood without compromising their soul.