By Greg Evans. Refresh for updates… Louie Anderson , the longtime comedian and actor who died of cancer this morning, is being remembered today by colleagues as a generous friend and groundbreaking comic. What an awesome friend. Good Bye. For four wonderful seasons, Louie graced us and fans of Baskets with a bravura performance as Christine Baskets, for which he deservedly was recognized by his peers with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
It was a risky role for him and he embraced it with a fearlessness and joy that demonstrated his brilliance as an artist. He truly cared about his craft and was a true professional in every sense. Our hearts go out to his loved ones and his Baskets family — Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Krisel and Martha Kelly and all the cast and crew. He will be missed by us all but never forgotten and always bring a smile to our faces. Louie Anderson made his mark on the art form in wide-ranging ways and gifted us all with comedy that deftly ranged from hilarious to poignant.
Anderson will be revered for years to come as someone who regularly and publicly challenged ideas about what comedy is, and for the empathy and grace he showed his peers and audiences alike.
Watch on Deadline. Louie Anderson made me cry almost as much as he made me laugh. Never have I encountered someone with that much duality. A true Comics comic. Purging the depths of his pain to make you laugh. What beautiful soul. This photo is very sad now. Both good friends that will be missed. A great human being, a great friend, and a great loss.
I worked with Louie Anderson on Baskets. It was his birthday, and we brought out a cake and sang happy birthday to him. Loved his work on that show. What a unique and lovable character Christine Baskets is.. Louie Anderson was such a kind, sincere, hilarious person. At one point he cried on stage as he poured his heart out. He seemed to just truly love his audience, comedy, and family. Always funny, kind and professional. You left this world a funnier and better place. And you always made sure we had chocolate covered strawberries in studio!
