Robert Ringwald, the father of actress and musician Molly Ringwald, has died at the age of 80.
The pianist who played and promoted jazz for over half a century passed away on August 3 his daughter confirmed.
She didn't reveal a cause of death.
The Breakfast Club actress announced her father's death in an emotional obituary on Saturday for the Sacramento Bee.
She wrote: "Anyone who knew Bob also knew his mischievous streak, and his ever-present, slightly ribald sense of humor.
"If you didn't sufficiently beg to get off of his email joke list, you would have received one just a couple of days before he died."
She also took to Instagram to confirm her father's passing. She shared a series of snaps alongside the caption: "It's with a heavy heart that my family says goodbye to my father.
"I consider myself very lucky to have had in my life as long as I did. Robert Scott Ringwald 1940-2021."
Fans and followers quickly took to the comments section to pay their condolences.
Actor George Newbern wrote: "Condolences to your family Molly".
The Kissing Booth actor Joel Courtney also penned: "Oh Molly. Im so sorry for your loss. My wife and I will be praying for you and your family."
Robert was born in California and began taking piano lessons at the age of five despite having vision problems. He went blind at an early age.
By the age of 13 he had started his own band and became a professional musician four years later - an occupation he held for the next six decades.
He was playing jazz seven nights a week in clubs by the 1960s and co-organised the first Sacramento Jazz Festival in 1974 - which his band headlined.
The event soon became an annual city tradition.
In 2012, the musician was honoured by the festival as "The Emperor of Jazz."
The title is said to have both "touched and embarrassed him," according to Molly.
As well as Molly, Robert is survived by his wife of 60 years Adele, his sister, another daughter called Beth, and his son Kelly.
He also leaves behind two grandsons, two granddaughters, two step-granddaughters, a great-grandson and a step-great-grandson.
The family asked any well-wishers to make donations to either the Foundation Fighting Blindness or to CURE Childhood Cancer in lieu of flowers.
