Reflecting on the cast of Gilmore Girls, it’s truly astonishing to see how some characters who were once mere sidelines have become the show’s biggest stars. Take Liza Weil, for instance, who auditioned for Rory Gilmore but ended up stealing the show as Paris Geller. Her quick wit and sharp tongue made her a fan favorite, and it’s hard to imagine Gilmore Girls without her.
For the first time on October 5, 2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino introduced TV viewers to the charming, fictional town of Stars Hollow and its main characters – Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), a young, hip mom, and her quick-witted daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel). From day one, viewers were drawn into the lives of this quirky, humorous mother-daughter pair who are known for their rapid speech and excessive eating. However, the show wasn’t just about them; it also highlighted a diverse cast of characters that added depth to their world, including Taylor Doose, the busybody town official played by Michael Winters.
Between the initial airing of “Gilmore Girls” on The WB, which later transformed into The CW during its seventh and final season, and the 2016 Netflix revival “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” unfortunately, some cast members passed away. Most notably, Edward Hermann, a respected actor who portrayed Lorelai’s father Richard Gilmore, lost his battle with brain cancer in 2014. This left a void that was felt during the revival. But what about the other actors? What have they been doing since the series ended in May 2007, aside from participating in “A Year in the Life”?
Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore)
In no other scenario can we picture Lorelai Gilmore being portrayed by anyone other than Lauren Graham, who embodies the character so flawlessly it seems as if the role was tailor-made for her. At 32 years old, Lorelai is the central figure when the series commences, and a simple calculation reveals that Rory is just 16 at this point. This age difference illuminates one of the primary storylines: Lorelai was a young mother who escaped her affluent, stern family to raise Rory on her own. Throughout “Gilmore Girls,” Lorelai experiences finding and losing love, establishes her own inn, supports Rory during challenging moments, and, indeed, consumes countless cups of coffee (and an assortment of martinis). After the series concluded, what did Lauren Graham decide to do?
Without a doubt, Graham reappeared in “A Year in the Life,” handling her father’s passing and supporting Rory through tough times. However, she is also known for her roles on the TV series “Parenthood” as Sarah Braverman from 2010 to 2015, and movies like “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” “Max,” and “Joshy.” Additionally, Graham has ventured into authorship with her debut novel, “Someday, Someday, Maybe” published in 2016, and she has also penned two memoirs: “Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between)” from 2016, and “Have I Told You This Already?” released in 2022.
Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore)
At 19, Alexis Bledel began portraying Rory Gilmore, a character who is just 16 at the start of the series, and it was reported that Lauren Graham had to guide the novice actress around the set due to her inexperience (a reason why Lorelai frequently touches Rory in the early seasons). Despite Rory’s frustrating moments, like when she steals a yacht and drops out of Yale, her determination is commendable, and her stumbles are often understandable given that Rory is portrayed as exceptionally intelligent for her age. Over the course of the series, Bledel significantly enhanced her acting skills, and it’s clear that her time on “Gilmore Girls” not only jumpstarted her career but also provided valuable lessons.
Alexis Bledel, who worked alongside her on-screen mother Graham in “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” appeared in both movies of “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and took a mature role in the 2005 film “Sin City” while portraying Rory. In 2012, she starred as Beth Dawes, an unsatisfied housewife who had a romantic entanglement with Pete Campbell (Victor Kartheiser) on AMC’s popular series “Mad Men.” Bledel and Kartheiser later married in 2014 but eventually separated in 2022. In 2017, she won her first Emmy for her guest role as Ofglen, a tormented woman under a totalitarian regime, in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” She received three more nominations for this role in the years 2018, 2020, and 2021.
Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore)
As a gaming aficionado, I’d say it’s not just Lorelai and Rory who steal the spotlight in “Gilmore Girls,” but also Emily Gilmore, portrayed brilliantly by Tony Award-winner Kelly Bishop. And guess what? She even refers to herself as the Third Gilmore Girl in her 2024 memoir! Now, Emily can be tough and obstinate at times, especially when dealing with her willful daughter Lorelai. But let me tell you, she’s got a wit that’s sharper than a Starfruit-shaped bat, as shown when she quips to Lorelai, “I was going to wait until you called me, but my life isn’t as long as yours.” And beneath her stern exterior lies a heart full of love for her family, especially her cherished granddaughter Rory.
Emily Bishop’s narrative in “A Year in the Life” primarily revolves around the passing of her husband Richard, yet she has remained active and productive in the industry. Bishop initially made a name for herself in theater, notably winning a Tony Award for her role in the original production of “A Chorus Line.” Following the conclusion of “Gilmore Girls,” Bishop reentered the stage with productions such as a revival of “Anything Goes” starring Sutton Foster. Bishop has also made appearances on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” as a lawyer, collaborated with Amy Sherman-Palladino on “Bunheads” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and contributed to notable shows like “Halston.
Scott Patterson (Luke Danes)
In television history, numerous unforgettable “will they, won’t they” relationships exist, but Lorelai Gilmore and Luke Danes, portrayed by Scott Patterson, stand out as true hall of famers. Luke, initially known as the owner of Luke’s Diner – a popular gathering place in Stars Hollow – has a temper that only softens towards Lorelai and her daughter Rory, whom he adores deeply. From the beginning, it appears that Luke and Lorelai are destined to be together, yet the show deliberately maintains tension and waits until the Season 4 finale before they share their first kiss. Although numerous bizarre obstacles arise (such as Luke discovering he has a daughter, which was one of the series’ least favored plotlines), Luke and Lorelai eventually reconnect after spending an excessive amount of time apart in the series. (The chemistry between Lauren Graham and Patterson is exceptional, and it seems foolish for the show to keep them separated.)
In the series “A Year in the Life,” it’s revealed that Luke and Lorelai have been a couple for quite some time, residing in Lorelai’s home. At the end of the final episode titled “Fall,” they officially tie the knot, marking their union. Apart from “Gilmore Girls,” Patterson has made appearances in several “Saw” films as Agent Peter Strahm, directed the TV series “The Event” between 2010 and 2011, and started playing a role in the Canadian drama “Sullivan’s Crossing” in 2023.
Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester)
In the world of “Gilmore Girls,” I, as Rory, had three major boyfriends, and unfortunately for Jared Padalecki (who plays Dean), he was arguably the most problematic of the lot. At first, Dean appeared to be a decent guy, but beneath that facade lay possessiveness and an intense jealousy that forced me into constant appeasement. Even during our initial breakup, when Dean confessed his love for me and I wasn’t ready to reciprocate, it was he who ended the relationship.
In the series “A Year in the Life,” we find Dean back, now married with children. Fortunately, there are no further romantic encounters between them. Most notably, Jared Padalecki is recognized for his lead role as Sam Winchester on “Supernatural,” where he shared screen time with Jensen Ackles, portraying Dean in real life. From 2021 to 2024, he was both the producer and star of “Walker.
Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia)
In a different turn of events, Milo Ventimiglia’s character, Jess Mariano, potentially could have been Rory Gilmore’s ideal boyfriend. Regrettably, their relationship didn’t get a fair chance to blossom as they only dated for a brief period and parted ways when Jess left Stars Hollow unexpectedly without informing Rory. Jess initially arrived in the town because Luke Danes, his uncle, took him in after his aunt, Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite), found it difficult to handle him. Although he seemed resentful towards Luke and Stars Hollow, it was clear that he had feelings for Rory. When Rory broke up with her previous boyfriend, Dean, she and Jess started dating instantly. He made occasional reappearances throughout the series, often to reconnect with Rory (most notably when he criticized her life decisions during her break from Yale).
You’re likely familiar with Ventimiglia, starring in numerous projects during the 2000s such as “Heroes,” “Rocky Balboa” (as Rocky Balboa Jr.), and “American Dreams.” His TV comeback was significant in 2016 when he landed the main role as Jack, the Pearson patriarch, on the popular series “This Is Us.” Apart from his appearance in “A Year in the Life,” Ventimiglia has also graced movie screens with roles like that in “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” collaborated again with Amy Sherman-Palladino for several episodes of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and led the series “The Company You Keep.” Unfortunately, this series was canceled in the spring of 2023 and has since been taken off Hulu.
Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry)
Over time, enthusiasts of “Gilmore Girls” find themselves convinced that Logan Huntzberger (played by Matt Czuchry) is undeniably Rory’s most suitable boyfriend. Making his debut in Season 5 during Rory’s years at Yale University, Logan hails from a wealthy and influential family, with his father Mitchum (portrayed by Gregg Henry) being a newspaper magnate – a significant position in the 2000s, reminiscent of the Ochs-Sulzberger family who owned the New York Times. This affluence and power naturally make Logan somewhat spoiled and arrogant. However, he consistently treats Rory with kindness and authenticity; never feigning to be someone other than himself. He is open about his infrequent commitments to women, but values Rory enough to be her boyfriend. At the conclusion of the series, he proposes to her, yet Rory declines and departs for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign instead.
In Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Logan, similar to Rory’s past relationships, makes an appearance – he’s residing in London and carrying on an affair with Rory despite being engaged to a French heiress named Odette (who is not shown). However, you might also recall Czuchry from his prominent roles in The Good Wife or as the lead in The Resident. In 2024, he took the lead in American Horror Story: Delicate as Dexter Harding, married to Emma Roberts’ character Anna Alcott, an actress who starts experiencing peculiar symptoms during her pregnancy.
Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James)
In the television series “Gilmore Girls,” Lorelai’s close friend Sookie St. James, portrayed by Melissa McCarthy, frequently collaborates with Lorelai, initially at the Independence Inn and later at their jointly owned Dragonfly Inn. Throughout the show, everyone agrees that Sookie is an exceptional chef, yet she has a peculiar habit of getting injured in the kitchen (a recurring comedy element is that Sookie is always bandaged up). Over the series, Sookie eventually ties the knot with Jackson Belleville, a vegetable supplier who works at both inns, and they have two children named Davey and Martha. By the show’s end, Sookie is pregnant with their third child, though we never discover the baby’s name.
Given that McCarthy became exceptionally popular following her role in “Gilmore Girls”, leading to an Oscar nomination for “Bridesmaids” in 2011 and a career that has shown no signs of slowing down, many fans were curious if she would make an appearance in “A Year in the Life”. Fortunately, she did appear briefly in the episode titled “Fall”. It’s not surprising that you’re familiar with McCarthy’s subsequent achievements – she has won two Emmys, starred in major comedies like “Spy” and “The Heat”, and received another Oscar nomination for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”. Remarkably, the character she played in “Gilmore Girls” was more of a supporting role, yet McCarthy has become the series’ most prominent star.
Liza Weil (Paris Geller)
Initially, Liza Weil tried out for the part of Rory Gilmore in “Gilmore Girls.” However, her talent left such an impact on the show’s creators that they crafted a new character specifically for her: Paris Geller, a classmate of Rory’s at the elite Chilton School. Despite their initial rivalry, Paris and Rory eventually develop a strong friendship, to the point where it could be argued that Rory’s romantic relationships pale in comparison. This bond is further strengthened by Weil’s outstanding performance, which is enhanced by the writers providing her with numerous witty lines. For instance, after a downpour, when a girl asks if it’s raining, Paris famously responds, “No, it’s national baptism day. Tie your tubes, idiot.
Later on, Weil became part of the casual nicknamed TV realm called “Shondaland”. She made brief appearances in Shonda Rhimes’ productions like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal”, but her most notable role was as lawyer Bonnie Winterbottom on “How to Get Away with Murder”. Similar to other actors from “Gilmore Girls”, Weil could also be seen on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. Currently, she portrays Katherine Russo on “The Cleaning Lady”.
Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn)
Among all characters in “Gilmore Girls,” Kirk stands out as one of the most intriguing. Initially appearing as Mick in the second episode, he later becomes a fixture in Stars Hollow, taking on multiple jobs at once – from working at the town’s only beauty store to driving people around town in a peculiar little cart and serving as a notary. Kirk is undeniably eccentric, with Sean Gunn expertly portraying this quirkiness. For instance, he confides in Luke that he suffers from night terrors and asks him to intervene if they occur during his first shared bed experience with Lulu (Rini Bell). Despite his request, Kirk still experiences the terrors and ends up running naked through Luke and Lorelai’s very first kiss.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Bradley Cooper lends his voice to Rocket Raccoon, but it’s Gunn (James Gunn’s brother) who performs the motion-capture for this character and even portrays Kraglin in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. Interestingly, since James Gunn has become a significant figure in the DC Cinematic Universe, he will be stepping into Pedro Pascal’s role as Maxwell Lord in future projects, starting from late 2023. Furthermore, you might have spotted him in “A Year in the Life” playing Kirk, who continues to work various jobs in Stars Hollow.
You can stream both “Gilmore Girls” and “A Year in the Life” on Netflix.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-16 21:01