When Gilmore Girls first premiered on The WB in 2000, no one could have predicted the lasting impact it would have on television and pop culture. With its razor-sharp dialogue, small-town charm, and the unique mother-daughter bond between ‘Lorelai’ played by Lauren Graham and ‘Rory’ played by Alexis Bledel, the show quickly became a cultural reset. It redefined family dramas for a new generation, balancing humour, romance, and heartfelt emotion.
The story followed the lives of ‘Lorelai’, an independent single mom, and her bookish daughter, ‘Rory’ as they navigated life in the quirky town of Stars Hollow. Alongside them were memorable characters like diner owner, ‘Luke’, best friend ‘Sookie’, and strict matriarch, ‘Emily’. Over seven seasons and 154 episodes, Gilmore Girls built a loyal fanbase that only grew when Netflix revived it in 2016 with Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
Even today, nearly two decades after its finale, the series remains a streaming sensation. With Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham’s reunion on the 2025 Emmy Awards stage, fans are celebrating the timeless magic of the show once again. But where are all the beloved cast members now? Here’s a look at their careers, personal lives, and biggest updates.
Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore)
Lauren Graham remains one of TV’s most recognisable faces. After Gilmore Girls, she starred in NBC’s Parenthood (2010–2015), winning hearts as ‘Sarah Braverman’. She also appeared in Evan Almighty, Because I Said So, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, and, most recently, Tubi’s The Z-Suite. In her personal life, Lauren split from her longtime partner, Peter Krause, in 2022 and mourned the passing of her close friend, Matthew Perry, in 2023.
Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore)
Alexis Bledel built a strong résumé for herself after leaving Stars Hollow, she appeared in The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants films and earned acclaim for her Emmy-winning role in The Handmaid’s Tale. She surprised fans by exiting the Hulu series just before confirming her divorce from Mad Men actor, Vincent Kartheiser. While she has taken fewer projects recently, Alexis remains a fan-favourite star of Gilmore Girls.
Scott Patterson (Luke Danes)
Beloved diner owner, ‘Luke’ was brought to life by Scott Patterson, who went on to star in the Saw franchise (Saw IV, V, VI). In 2021, he launched the I Am All In podcast, which was dedicated to dissect Gilmore Girls. Scott currently stars in The CW’s Sullivan’s Crossing, a drama that streams on Netflix, and has brought him back into the TV spotlight.
Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James)
Melissa McCarthy transformed into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars after Gilmore Girls. She headlined Mike & Molly, delivered Oscar-nominated performances in Bridesmaids and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and appeared in blockbusters like Ghostbusters and Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. She got married to fellow actor, Ben Falcone, and is also a mom of two as she continues to dominate film and comedy.
Liza Weil (Paris Geller)
Sharp-tongued ‘Paris’ became an iconic character, and Liza Weil carried that momentum into Shonda Rhimes’ projects. She starred as ‘Bonnie Winterbottom’ on How to Get Away with Murder and also appeared on Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel. Liza was married to Paul Adelstein until 2017, and later dated co-star, Charlie Weber on and off. As of 2022, the two of them have rekindled their romance.
Keiko Agena (Lane Kim)
Keiko Agena has kept herself busy with diverse roles in projects like Scandal, Private Practice, Shameless, 13 Reasons Why, and Better Call Saul. Although she admitted she wasn’t very close to Alexis Bledel during filming, Keiko still cherishes her ties to Gilmore Girls. Most recently, she starred alongside Uzo Aduba in Netflix’s The Residence, reminding fans of her versatile range.
Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore)
The elegant matriarch, ‘Emily Gilmore’ was unforgettable thanks to Kelly Bishop. Post-Gilmore Girls, Kelly appeared in Bunheads, The Good Wife, Army Wives, and The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel. In 2024, she released her memoir, The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at her career and her bond with castmates, including Lauren Graham.
Milo Ventimiglia (Jess Mariano)
Milo Ventimiglia’s bad-boy ‘Jess’ won hearts, and his career soared afterwards. He starred in Heroes and the Emmy-nominated family drama, This Is Us. Though his ABC series The Company You Keep was cancelled, Milo made personal headlines in 2025 when he and his wife, Jarah Mariano, welcomed their first child. Fans loved the full-circle for him.
Matt Czuchry (Logan Huntzberger)
Matt Czuchry enjoyed a long run on CBS’s The Good Wife before leading Fox’s medical drama The Resident. More recently, he joined American Horror Story: Delicate, where he reflected on the still-viral ‘Logan’ debate from Gilmore Girls. With his charming presence, Matt continues to captivate TV audiences two decades after his Stars Hollow debut.
Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester)
Jared Padalecki rose to superstardom with The CW’s Supernatural, which ran for 15 seasons. He now headlines CBS’s Fire Country, with buzz about a potential spinoff. Off-screen, Jared is married to Supernatural co-star, Genevieve Cortese, and the couple are proud parents of three children, and are currently balancing Hollywood success with family life.
Yanic Truesdale (Michel Gerard)
Yanic Truesdale brought snark and flair to ‘Michel’, and he has continued acting steadily in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mohawk Girls, and Netflix’s God’s Favourite Idiot, alongside Melissa McCarthy. The two remain close friends, and were even seen vacationing together. Yanic also engages with fans time and again, who still cherish his role as Stars Hollow’s funniest concierge.
Edward Herrmann (Richard Gilmore)
The late actor, Edward Herrmann, who played beloved patriarch, ‘Richard Gilmore’, passed away on New Year’s Eve 2014 at age 71 after battling brain cancer. His absence was deeply felt in the Netflix revival, where the storyline honoured ‘Richard’s’ passing. Herrmann’s rich career also included roles in The Good Wife and Grey’s Anatomy. He remains a cherished part of Gilmore Girls’ legacy.
From Emmy-winning performances to blockbuster film roles and even heartbreaking losses, the cast of Gilmore Girls continues to make headlines nearly two decades after the series ended.
With Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel reuniting at the 2025 Emmy Awards, fans are once again reminded why Gilmore Girls was more than just a TV show, it was a cultural moment that shaped a generation.
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