It’s been 25 years since Gilmore Girls first aired, and somehow, Stars Hollow feels just as comforting as ever. Each autumn, as the leaves turn and the air cools, fans flock back to the fictional Connecticut town where coffee is a love language and every diner booth feels like home. The show has long been […]
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It’s been 25 years since Gilmore Girls first aired, and somehow, Stars Hollow feels just as comforting as ever. Each autumn, as the leaves turn and the air cools, fans flock back to the fictional Connecticut town where coffee is a love language and every diner booth feels like home. The show has long been hailed as one of television’s most quintessential “fall shows,” its cozy atmosphere and witty dialogue offering the perfect seasonal escape. And even a quarter-century later, it continues to captivate new audiences—thanks to streaming platforms that have made Rory and Lorelai’s world bingeable. From Alexis Bledel to Lauren Graham and Milo Ventimiglia, the cast has gone on to lead impressive careers both on and off-screen. Here’s where everyone from Gilmore Girls is today, 25 years after we first fell for Stars Hollow’s charm.
Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore)
Lauren Graham’s portrayal of Lorelai Gilmore remains the role she’s best known for. After Gilmore Girls, she took to the stage, appearing in Guys and Dolls on Broadway in 2009, then went on to star in Parenthood (2010–2015) as Sarah Braverman. Her other screen credits include Evan Almighty, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and A Merry Friggin’ Christmas, among others.
Beyond acting, Graham is also an author, with several books to her name, including the 2022 New York Times bestseller Have I Told You This Already?
Most recently, in October 2025, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with several cast members and the show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, in attendance.
Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore)
Playing Rory Gilmore launched Alexis Bledel’s career. After Gilmore Girls, she appeared in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Jenny’s Wedding, and Mad Men, among others. One of her most acclaimed roles came in The Handmaid’s Tale, which earned her critical praise and several awards.
On a personal note, Bledel was married to her Mad Men co-star Vincent Kartheiser; they share a child and divorced in 2022.
She reunited with Lauren Graham at the 2025 Emmy Awards to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary.
Scott Patterson (Luke Danes)
Before turning to acting, Scott Patterson pursued a professional baseball career. After Gilmore Girls, he appeared in several horror films (Saw IV, V, and VI) and had recurring roles on shows such as 90210 and The Event.
In 2021, he launched a Gilmore Girls rewatch podcast, I Am All In with Scott Patterson, where he revisits episodes and chats with guests. More recently, he’s starred in Sullivan’s Crossing alongside fellow Gilmore Girls alum Chad Michael Murray.
Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James)
Melissa McCarthy’s career skyrocketed after Gilmore Girls. She’s become one of Hollywood’s most bankable comedic actors, with hits such as Bridesmaids, The Heat, Identity Thief, and Can You Ever Forgive Me? She has earned multiple award nominations, including Emmys and Golden Globes, throughout her post-Gilmore career.
In recent years, McCarthy has appeared as Ursula in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid and continues to take on both comedic and dramatic roles.
Matt Czuchry (Logan Huntzberger)
After Gilmore Girls, Matt Czuchry built a steady television career, starring in The Good Wife (2009–2016) and later in The Resident (2018–2023). He also reprised his role as Logan Huntzberger in Netflix’s Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
Milo Ventimiglia (Jess Mariano)
Milo Ventimiglia, who played Luke’s nephew and Rory’s love interest, gained wider acclaim after Gilmore Girls. He starred as Peter Petrelli in Heroes (2006–2010) and later as Jack Pearson in This Is Us (2016–2022). His portrayal of Jack earned him multiple Emmy nominations, solidifying his reputation as one of television’s most versatile leading men.
Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester)
Jared Padalecki, who played Rory’s first love, Dean Forester, went on to lead a hugely successful television career. Soon after Gilmore Girls, he landed the starring role of Sam Winchester on Supernatural (2005–2020), one of the longest-running genre series in TV history. More recently, he’s starred in Walker, a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, which ran from 2021 to 2024.
Keiko Agena (Lane Kim)
Keiko Agena, who plays Rory’s best friend Lane, continued to work extensively in television, appearing in shows such as Scandal, Shameless, Better Call Saul, and 13 Reasons Why. She also co-hosted The Drunk Monk Podcast with Will Choi, where the two revisited episodes of Monk over drinks.
Liza Weil (Paris Geller)
Liza Weil, who played Rory’s sharp-tongued frenemy Paris Geller, has appeared in numerous television shows post-Gilmore, including How to Get Away with Murder, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Westworld, and Law & Order: SVU.
Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore)
Kelly Bishop, who played the formidable Gilmore matriarch Emily, had an established stage and screen career long before Gilmore Girls. After the series, she reunited with Amy Sherman-Palladino on Bunheads, appeared in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and starred in The Watchful Eye (2023).
In 2024, she published a memoir titled The Third Gilmore Girl.
In interviews marking the show’s 25th anniversary, Bishop has spoken fondly about her time on the series and her connection with the cast.
More Stars from Stars Hollow
Other actors from the iconic show of note include Yanic Truesdale (Michel Gerard) who reprised his role in the revival and did Canadian projects. He also founded a spin studio, Spin Énergie, in Montreal. Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) has kept a varied acting career, including roles on Superstore, Glee, and works tied to his brother James Gunn’s projects (e.g., Guardians of the Galaxy). Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) continued acting in theater and television (Grey’s Anatomy, The Resident).
