Sad news indeed. Sounds like he lost a battle to brain cancer.
In addition to his on camera and stage work, he was perhaps the industry's foremost narrator of documentaries. If you regularly watch the historical shows and specials on PBS and the History Channel, his voice is everywhere. He'll be missed.
He's been FDR many times...from the Eleanor and Franklin movie in the mid-70's to FDR in the Annie movie in the 80's...and I am pretty sure a few more times as well.
For those who don't recognize him from his recent photos, you probably will if you look at photos from the 70's or 80's. I'll always remember his brilliant performance in one of a trilogy of works based on John Cheever short stories, which I saw on public television. He played an alcoholic who accuses the maid of stealing his liquor, when it is his little girl that has been watering it down to keep him from drinking. I think he also played Alger Hiss in a TV movie.
In addition to these somewhat intellectual roles, he appeared in a bunch of Chevy commercials.
I'm sad to have read of his passing. A death at age 71 is relatively early, and to die from brain cancer is a fate too awful to contemplate.
Audrey
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.