'Gilmore Girls' Cast, Then and Now

(Image credit: Getty)

published 3 May 2021

It's been 13 years since Gilmore Girls left the airwaves for good—and 20 years since it premiered! I've had to survive on reruns for over a decade, and I'm still not over it. If your fandom, like mine, knows no bounds, find out what your favorite characters have been up to since the show wrapped besides, you know, appearing in the revival (thank you, Netflix!).

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THEN: Alexis Bledel

Alexis Bledel landed her breakout role as Rory Gilmore when she was just 19 years old. While working on the show, Alexis began her career in film, starring in Tuck Everlasting and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

NOW: Alexis Bledel

Since Gilmore Girls, Alexis' career has continued to flourish. The actress had a reoccurring role on Mad Men in 2012, where she met her now-husband Vincent Kartheiser. She also won an Emmy for her role in Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale. Recently, she announced plans for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 3.

THEN: Lauren Graham

In 1996, Lauren Graham snagged her first role in television in a guest spot on 3rd Rock from the Sun, but she didn't hit her stride as an actress until she played the fast-talking, coffee-crazed single mother, Lorelai Gilmore.

NOW: Lauren Graham

Lauren enjoyed a few roles in films like Evan Almighty and Because I Said So after saying farewell to Stars Hollow. She made her triumphant return to TV in 2010 as Sarah Braverman on NBC's Parenthood. The show ran for six seasons, and she met her partner, Peter Kraus, on set. He played her TV brother!

THEN: Kelly Bishop

Kelly Bishop has been working in TV and film since the late '50s. Her first role was on the soap opera As The World Turns and she later appeared in Dirty Dancing. In 2000, the actress was cast in the role of Emily Gilmore, the wealthy and cold matriarch of the Gilmore family. "I've always enjoyed playing what I call the nasty, rich women. Because I can't stand them," she said on a panel in 2016. "So I try to make them as awful as possible."

NOW: Kelly Bishop

The actress hasn't appeared in many roles since the A Year In The Life revival in 2016, but she did thoroughly enjoy the journey that the writers sent her on during the reunion. "I was delighted with what they wrote, I really was," Kelly told The Hollywood Reporter. "It was just wonderful for me because she really goes to some different places."

THEN: Edward Herrmann

Edward Herrmann was by far one of the most recognizable names when he starred as Richard Gilmore, Rory's dashing and intellectual grandfather. From Overboard to Annie, he was an impeccably trained actor who was instantly recognizable for his tall and strong stature.

2014: Edward Herrmann

Sadly, Edward passed away in New York City in 2014 at the age of 71, after fighting a battle with brain cancer. Towards the end of his life, the actor continued to work, appearing in The Good Wife, The Wolf Of Wall Street, and Black Box. The cast shared their heartbreak at his loss and his death was written into the reunion series.

THEN: Scott Patterson

Scott Patterson had small parts on hit shows like Seinfeld and Will And Grace before he was cast as the grumpy diner owner, Luke Danes, on the Warner Brothers show.

NOW: Scott Patterson

In addition to appearing on the Netflix revival a few years ago, Scott starred in the horror films Saw IV and Saw V. The actor is also a musician on the side.

THEN: Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy began her career in the '90s working as a stand-up comedian, but her first major role on television was as the quirky chef and loyal best friend to Lorelai, Sookie St. James, on Gilmore Girls.

NOW: Melissa McCarthy

After starring in her Emmy-winning TV show, Mike And Molly, the actress stole the show in the movie Bridesmaids and became one of the biggest names in comedy. The actress has recently shifted her roles to more serious films, like the Oscar-nominated Can You Ever Forgive Me? She'll also star as Ursula in the upcoming live-action version of The Little Mermaid.

THEN: David Sutcliffe

The Canadian-born actor had smaller roles before joining Gilmore Girls at the end of season one as Rory's absentee father, Christopher Hayden. David became a reoccurring character throughout the series and the actor enjoyed success on the side with roles in films like Under The Tuscan Sun.

NOW: David Sutcliffe

After the show wrapped in 2007, David went to work on Private Practice, as well as star in his own crime series, Cracked. Most recently, he appeared on the Amazon Prime series The Romanoffs.

THEN: Keiko Agena

The actress was 27 years old when she was cast to play Rory's best friend and confidant, 15-year-old Lane Kim. She remained a staple cast member throughout all seven seasons. Before Gilmore Girls, Keiko had minor roles on shows like Felicity and Beverly Hills, 90210.

NOW: Keiko Agena

After leaving her role of Lane Kim behind, Keiko landed minor roles in TV and film for years. But since the Gilmore Girls mini-series revival, Keiko has been in some of the biggest new shows, including 13 Reasons Why, Better Call Saul, and Dirty John.

THEN: Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki was just starting out as an actor when he signed on to play Dean, Rory's first boyfriend. The actor had a reoccurring role until 2005, when what happens to most first loves happened: Rory and Dean broke up. Meanwhile, Jared began appearing in movies, like Cheaper By The Dozen and New York Minute.

NOW: Jared Padalecki

After Jared left the show in 2005, he appeared in multiple horror films (House of Wax and Friday the 13th) and landed a leading role on the hit tv show Supernatural, which is set to end after its current 15th season.

THEN: Liza Weil

After earning small parts in TV shows like The West Wing and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Liza's first major role was as Paris Gellar—Rory's overachieving classmate at her competitive private school. Despite starting out as Rory's foe, the two eventually became friends and Liza's role became a staple in storylines.

NOW: Liza Weil

Life after Gilmore Girls was pretty good for Liza. After a few guest spots on shows like Private Practice, Liza had a reoccurring role in the first season of Scandal and was a cast member on How To Get Away With Murder.

THEN: Chad Michael Murray

Every millennial remembers a young Chad Michael Murray, who had the small-but-mighty role of high school heartthrob Tristan in season one. Chad debuted on the show just as his star was rising in Hollywood.

NOW: Chad Michael Murray

Soon after, Chad blew up. He landed a lead role on the hit show One Tree Hill, as well as parts in Freaky Friday and A Cinderella Story—opposite Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff, respectfully. Recently he's been acting on another hit teen drama: Riverdale.

THEN: Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia rose through the ranks as a TV actor in the mid-90s, appearing in Sabrina The Teenage Witch and Saved By The Bell. In season two of Gilmore Girls, he joined the cast as Jess Mariano, a love interest for Rory and the nephew of Luke.

NOW: Milo Ventimiglia

Milo followed up Gilmore Girls with another hit show, Heroes. But his biggest part to date is playing the matriarch of the Pearson family on NBC's hit show This Is Us. He also starred in the film, The Art Of Racing In The Rain.

THEN: Liz Torres

Liz Torres was no newbie to TV when she was cast as Miss Patty in 2000. The actress has been appearing on sitcoms since 1965 and was best known for her role on The John Larroquette Show in the '90s.

NOW: Liz Torres

The actress has had a series of guest parts on shows since, including Scandal. Recently, it was announced she will appear in the upcoming film Chick Flick.

THEN: Sean Gunn

Sean Gunn had a handful of small roles on TV and in movies before he became known as the odd townsman, Kirk Gleason, on Gilmore Girls.

NOW: Sean Gunn

Sean has done juuuust fine since Gilmore Girls. The actor, who's brother is filmmaker James Gunn, play Kraglin in the Guardian of the Galaxy and Avengers franchises.

THEN: Sally Struthers

America first got to know Sally Struthers for her role on All In The Family, where she playedGloria Bunker. Afterward, she moved on to theater. The actress bopped around television, appearing on various shows, until she filled the role as Lorelai and Rory's big-hearted neighbor, Babette, on Gilmore Girls.

NOW: Sally Struthers

The actress has continued to appear in theater and on television and reprised her role of Babette in Netflix's mini-series revival.

THEN: Matt Czuchry

Matt Czuchry joined Gilmore Girls in 2004 as Rory's college boyfriend, Logan Huntzberger. Before, the actor was cast in projects like Judd Apatow's Freaks And Geeks and 7th Heaven.

NOW: Matt Czuchry

Matt had a major role in the Netflix revival, as fans learned that he and Rory were still involved together. But that isn't the extent of the actor's credits post-Gilmore Girls: Matt starred on the hit show The Good Wife, had a stint on Friday Night Lights, and is currently starring in the medical drama, The Resident.

THEN: Yanic Truesdale

The French-Canadian actor primarily appeared in French foreign films before his role as Michel Gerard on Gilmore Girls.

NOW: Yanic Truesdale

The actor returned to his roots and worked on French television shows like Rumeurs after his role on the hit show came to a close. He's also appeared on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and recently finished shooting the film My Salinger Year.

THEN: Michael Winters

The role of Taylor Doose was actor Michael Winter's biggest role by far. Since the beginning of season one, the town busy-body was a consistent cast member and source of entertainment.

NOW: Michael Winters

Michael continues to be an active actor, appearing on various shows in minor parts, but his role as Taylor Doose is still his most beloved character.

THEN: Kathleen Wilhoite

Kathleen Wilhoite joined the cast in 2004 as Luke Dane's flakey sister, Liz. But while she was new to the show, Kathleen was certainly not new to the industry. She starred in films throughout the '80s and '90s, including The Edge.

NOW: Kathleen Wilhoite

Other than her new pink hairstyle, not much has changed with Kathleen. The actress is still acting, though she sadly did not appear in the Netflix mini-series.

THEN: Vanessa Marano

In season six, fans were thrown for a loop when Luke unexpectedly learned he had a daughter with an ex-girlfriend. Vanessa Marano played the part, but it wasn't the 11-year-old's first job: She'd already appeared in shows like Lisa Kudrow's The Comeback and Six Feet Under.

NOW: Vanessa Marano

Vanessa's time on Gilmore Girls proved to be a success, as the actress landed a series of TV roles afterward. In 2011, she was cast in a starring role on ABC Family's Switched At Birth, and was recently in the film Saving Zoë.