Richard Gilmore’s Death On Gilmore Girls, Explained

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Richard Gilmore (played by Edward Herrmann) is a stern-looking insurance man with a soft spot for his loved ones, as portrayed in “Gilmore Girls”. He’s married to Emily (Kelly Bishop), the father of Lorelai (Lauren Graham), and grandfather to Rory (Alexis Bledel). In the series debut, he makes an appearance at their first Friday night dinner. A quiet man with strong views, Richard acts as a bond that helps Lorelai and Emily bridge their differences while nurturing Rory’s aspirations. Occasionally, his voice of wisdom needs some guidance itself, such as when he arranges a surprise Yale interview for Rory during Season 3, Episode 8, “Let the Games Begin”. Despite this, it is Richard’s caring nature that makes him even more endearing.

His death resonates profoundly through three generations of the Gilmore family. Rory is left without her mentor, Lorelai mourns her protective father, and Emily experiences the absence of the hand that has comforted her in countless life situations. It’s a devastating event that signals significant upheavals for this family, and Richard’s death was a narrative choice made due to a real-life tragedy off camera.

When does Richard Gilmore die?

In the opening scene of “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” Episode 1, “Winter,” it’s revealed that Richard Gilmore passed away four months prior. The episode starts with a brief reference to his death and later depicts his funeral. In Episode 2, “Spring,” Lorelai recalls how her father’s condition suddenly deteriorated. She remembers getting a call from her mother informing her that Richard was critically ill after suffering a massive heart attack in the ICU. Despite moments of regaining consciousness, he ultimately passed away at the hospital.

A Year in the Life.

Why Richard Gilmore was killed off

In the 2016 revival series “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” Richard Gilmore’s character plays a significant role due to the real-life death of actor Edward Herrmann, who passed away from brain cancer in December 2014 at age 71. According to The New York Times and his son, Herrmann had been battling cancer. He was a staple on all seven seasons of “Gilmore Girls,” although he wasn’t fond of the lengthy scripts. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino revealed that Herrmann’s death affected their emotional state during the cast reunion at the ATX Television Festival in 2015. She explained, “We were all still very raw from his passing, and it came as a surprise because he was sick but kept it hidden due to his pride.

In her book titled “The Third Gilmore Girl”, Kelly Bishop shared that she found out about Edward Herrmann’s illness through an article in the New York Post (as reported by Entertainment Weekly). After receiving an invitation from his wife, Star Roman, Bishop had a chance to bid farewell to her former on-screen partner. She expressed that if she hadn’t mustered the courage to visit him despite all the medical equipment, she would have regretted it for the rest of her life because it was really Ed lying there. According to Vanity Fair, Roman stated that Bishop was the only one who came, and it held great significance for both Herrmann and her. Finally, Amy Sherman-Palladino told People that Herrmann’s passing deeply affected them, and ultimately served as the foundation for “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”.

How Gilmore Girls paid tribute to Richard Gilmore actor Edward Herrmann

Amy Sherman-Palladino used Edward Herrmann’s passing as a foundation for the storyline in “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.” She explained to People that this shocking event sparked her to create this particular plot point within the series. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she stated that the characters’ lives would be affected by Richard’s death, as when someone close to you dies, it causes you to reevaluate your own path in life for a moment, making you wonder, “Which direction am I heading?

The main theme in the revival is self-discovery, as characters like Rory and Lorelai grapple with determining their life paths. Lorelai takes a hiking trip to reassess her life and relationship with Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), while Emily grapples with moving forward without Richard. This introspective period leads them to confront their grief, culminating in a scene that Lauren Graham considers flawless. During a “Gilmore Girls” Fanfest Panel (via Bustle), Ryen Herrmann felt the revival, “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” stood out as it focused on a single topic rather than being scattered, resulting in a more coherent and emotionally resonant storyline that brought the family closer together. Star Roman, Herrmann’s wife, shared her late husband would have appreciated the revival.

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2025-02-18 22:30