Kevin Winter/Getty Images

How Old Was the ‘Gilmore Girls’ Cast When the Show First Premiered? Ages Then and Now

News

Sep 28, 2023 11:58 am·

By Jillian Pretzel

Deal of the Day

Stay Dressed To Impress All Summer Long, Thanks to This Portable Steam — 70% Off View Deal

1 of 24

How Old Was Lauren Graham, a.k.a. Lorelai Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Lauren played Lorelai, a clever and quick-talking mom. Lorelai was 33 at the start of season 1, having given birth when she was just 16. The character’s young age in relation to her daughter made their bond (and the show) unique. Lauren herself was born on March 16, 1967, which made her just one year older than her character.

2 of 24

What Is Lauren Graham’s Age Now?

As of September 2023, Lauren is 56. She’s kept her signature long dark locks and opened up about aging gracefully in her 2016 book, Talking As Fast As I Can.

3 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 335

How Old Was Alexis Bledel, a.k.a. Rory Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Alexis played Rory, who in season 1, was a book-smart teenager (she celebrates her 16th birthday in episode 6) with dreams of attending Harvard. At 19, Alexis wasn’t much older than her character. In fact, Gilmore Girls provided the Texas native with her first credited acting role.

4 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 334

What Is Alexis Bledel’s Age Now?

As of September 2023, Alexis is 42. She was born on September 16, 1981. The actress has done a lot of acting since her time in Stars Hollow and is now perhaps best known for playing Emily Malek on Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. She still looks strikingly similar to her younger self, with her thin frame, brown hair, and bright blue eyes.

5 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 337

How Old Was Melissa McCarthy, a.k.a. Sookie St. James, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Melissa McCarthy played Lorelai’s best friend Sookie St. James, a sweet (but often klumsy) chef. The actress’s birthday is August 26, 1970, so she was 30 when she first appeared on Gilmore Girls.

6 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 336

What Is Melissa McCarthy’s Age Now?

Melissa is now 53 years old as of September 2023. Since her time on the beloved dramaty, Melissa has starred in Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, The Little Mermaid, and much more. She even won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in her sitcom Mike & Molly.

7 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 339

How Old Was Keiko Agena, a.k.a. Lane Kim, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Rory’s best friend, Lane Kim, was played by Keiko Agena. At 27, the actress still looked young enough to play a sophomore in high school.

8 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 338

What Is Keiko Agena’s Age Now?

Keiko’s birthday is October 3, 1973, which means she will ring in her 50th birthday in 2023! The seemingly ageless actress is still working, appearing in TV shows such as Prodigal Son and Better Call Saul.

9 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 341

How Old Was Scott Patterson, a.k.a. Luke Danes, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Ruggedly handsome diner owner Luke Danes was played by Scott Patterson. Scott’s birthday is September 11, 1958, making him nearly a decade older than Lauren, who portrayed his love interest on the show.

10 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 340

What Is Scott Patterson’s Age Now?

Scott is now 65 as of September 2023. Since wrapping Gilmore Girls, he’s continued acting and appeared in the series’ 2016 revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

11 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 355

How Old Was Yanic Truesdale, a.k.a. Michel Gerard, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Yanic, played Michel Gerard, Lorelai’s sarcastic and grumpy co-worker. He was born on March 17, 1970, which made him 30 when Gilmore Girls began.

12 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 354

How Old Was Yanic Truesdale, a.k.a. Michel Gerard, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

The Canadian-born actor is now 53. He continued acting after the show wrapped, even reuniting with Melissa for the series God’s Favorite Idiot.

13 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 343

How Old Was Kelly Bishop, a.k.a. Emily Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Kelly Bishop, who played Lorelai’s witty, upper-crust mother, was 54 at the beginning of Gilmore Girls. The actress and dancer’s birthday is February 28, 1944.

14 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 342

What Is Kelly Bishop’s Age Now?

Kelly is now 59 as of September 2023. After Gilmore Girls ended, she worked with show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino again on Bunheads and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

15 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 345

How Old Was Edward Herrmann, a.k.a. Richard Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Edward Herrmann, Kelly’s on-screen husband and Lauren’s on-screen father, was 57 when he first played Richard Gilmore. The character was known for his work ethic, dry humor, and stoic demeanor.

16 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 344

When Did Edward Herrmann Die?

Edward passed away on December 31, 2014, at the age of 71. His costars honored him while making the 2016 revival, with Lauren telling People that the four-episode special, in which her character grapples with Richard’s death, was a “tribute” to the actor.

17 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 347

How Old Was Liza Weil, a.k.a. Paris Geller, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Liza Weil was 23 when she first played Rory’s school nemesis-turned-friend Paris Geller. Interestingly, Liza originally auditioned for the role of Rory. The casting team still liked Liza even after casting Alexis, so they created a new part for her. “I got a call and they were like, ‘They really liked you but it wasn’t quite right. But if maybe they’ll find something for you to do,'” the actress said at the Gilmore Girls reunion during the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas on June 6, 2015.

18 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 346

What is Liza Weil’s Age Now?

Liza was born on June 5, 1977, so she’s now 46 as of September 2023. The actress has acted in a number of films and TV shows since her stint as the competitive, sharp-tongued Paris, including How to Get Away with Murder and Westworld.

19 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 349

How Old Was Jared Padalecki, a.k.a. Dean Forester, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

Jared Padalecki was 18 when the WB show premiered. He served as Rory’s first boyfriend before departing the show after five years.

20 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 348

What Is Jared Padalecki’s Age Now?

After Gilmore Girls, Jared went on to star in Supernatural and Walker. His birthday is July 19, 1982, so the actor is 41 as of September 2023.

21 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 351

How Old Was Milo Ventimiglia, a.k.a. Jess Mariano, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 2?

After dating Dean, Rory’s next boyfriend was Jess Mariano, played by Milo Ventimiglia. Milo was born on July 8, 1977, making him 24 when he joined the series in 2001 during season 2.

22 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 350

What Is Milo Ventimiglia’s Age Now?

Rory’s bad-boy boyfriend went on to star as Jack Pearson in This Is Us and Peter Petrelli in Heros. He’s now 46 as of September 2023.

23 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 353

How Old Was Matt Czuchry, a.k.a. Logan Huntzburger, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 5?

Matt Czuchry played Logan Huntzberger, a Yale student and Rory’s third major love interest. Matt’s birthday is May 20, 1977, so when he joined the series in 2005 during season 5, he was 28.

24 of 24

How Old Was the Gilmore Girls Cast Ages Then and Now 352

What Is Matt Czuchry’s Age Now?

Matt went on to star in The Good Wife and The Resident. He’s 46 as of September 2023.

Just For You

Conversation

All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Life & Style does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.

Fun ‘Gilmore Girls’ Facts You Never Knew About the Mother-Daughter Series

Deal of the Day

How Old Was Lauren Graham, a.k.a. Lorelai Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

What Is Lauren Graham’s Age Now?

How Old Was Alexis Bledel, a.k.a. Rory Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

What Is Alexis Bledel’s Age Now?

How Old Was Melissa McCarthy, a.k.a. Sookie St. James, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​What Is Melissa McCarthy’s Age Now?

How Old Was Keiko Agena, a.k.a. Lane Kim, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​What Is Keiko Agena’s Age Now?

​How Old Was Scott Patterson, a.k.a. Luke Danes, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​What Is Scott Patterson’s Age Now?

​How Old Was Yanic Truesdale, a.k.a. Michel Gerard, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​How Old Was Yanic Truesdale, a.k.a. Michel Gerard, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​How Old Was Kelly Bishop, a.k.a. Emily Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​What Is Kelly Bishop’s Age Now?

​How Old Was Edward Herrmann, a.k.a. Richard Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

When Did Edward Herrmann Die?

​How Old Was Liza Weil, a.k.a. Paris Geller, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​What is Liza Weil’s Age Now?

​How Old Was Jared Padalecki, a.k.a. Dean Forester, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

​What Is Jared Padalecki’s Age Now?

​How Old Was Milo Ventimiglia, a.k.a. Jess Mariano, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 2?

What Is Milo Ventimiglia’s Age Now?

How Old Was Matt Czuchry, a.k.a. Logan Huntzburger, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 5?

What Is Matt Czuchry’s Age Now?

What Is Melissa McCarthy’s Age Now?

What Is Keiko Agena’s Age Now?

How Old Was Scott Patterson, a.k.a. Luke Danes, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

What Is Scott Patterson’s Age Now?

How Old Was Yanic Truesdale, a.k.a. Michel Gerard, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

How Old Was Yanic Truesdale, a.k.a. Michel Gerard, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

How Old Was Kelly Bishop, a.k.a. Emily Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

What Is Kelly Bishop’s Age Now?

How Old Was Edward Herrmann, a.k.a. Richard Gilmore, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

How Old Was Liza Weil, a.k.a. Paris Geller, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

What is Liza Weil’s Age Now?

How Old Was Jared Padalecki, a.k.a. Dean Forester, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1?

What Is Jared Padalecki’s Age Now?

How Old Was Milo Ventimiglia, a.k.a. Jess Mariano, in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 2?