Emmy Award-winning entertainer and game show host, Louie Anderson is dead.

He died at age 68 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Metro UK reports that the American stand-up comedian died on Friday morning in Las Vegas, having been admitted to hospital for treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and is cancer of the lymphatic system.

A statement from his representatives said: ‘Iconic comedian Louie Anderson passed away peacefully on Friday morning January 21 in Las Vegas at age 68.

‘He is survived by his two sisters, Lisa and Shanna Anderson.’

Anderson created the cartoon series Life with Louie and has written four books, including Hey Mom: Stories for My Mother, But You Can Read Them Too, which was published in 2018.

He was the initial host of the third revival of the game show Family Feud from 1999 to 2002.

For his performance on the FX comedy television series Baskets, Anderson received three consecutive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominations and won once in 2016.

Anderson performed a stand-up show called Louie: Larger Than Life in Las Vegas, Nevada from 2003 through 2012.

The show originated at the Union Plaza hotel downtown, before moving to Excalibur, South Point, and Palace Station hotels.