'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now

The cast from "Gilmore Girls" included Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Keiko Agena, Melissa McCarthy, Kelly Bishop, Ed Herrmann, Liz Torres and Yanic Truesdale, all pictured here.

Nearly 20 years after the show's debut, the cast reunited for the Netflix miniseries, "Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life." From left, Liza Well, Danny Strong, Sean Gunn, Kelly Bishop, Yanic Truesdale, Scott Patterson, Tanc Sade, Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham, Matt Czuchry and Keiko Agena attend its Los Angeles premiere at Regency Bruin Theatre on Nov. 18, 2016.

And nearly a decade after the revival, Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel reunited at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Lauren Graham played the fast-talking Stars Hollow inn manager with big dreams when the show first debuted. Here, she attends a behind the scenes discussion of the television show "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.

Lauren Graham has gone on to star in movies like "Evan Almighty," "Because I Said So" opposite Diane Keaton and 2025's "Twinless," as well as starring as the lead in TV drama "Parenthood" and reprising her role as Lorelai in "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life." Here, she's seen at the 2025 PaleyFest LA at the Dolby Theatre on March 29, 2025, in Hollywood, California.

"Gilmore Girls" marked Alexis Bledel's first major role. Here, Bledel attends the WB Television Network Upfront All-Star Party at The Lighthouse May 13, 2003, in New York City.

Alexis Bledel went on to star in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale." She made an appearance at a Los Angeles special screening for the drama series held at the DGA Theater on May 28, 2025.

Scott Patterson attends a behind-the-scenes discussion of "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California. Patterson joined the show as grumpy by lovable local diner owner Luke Danes.

Patterson, seen here at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, went on to play Luke through the entire series and the "A Year in the Life" revival, and started a podcast "I Am All In" to rewatch the show.

Milo Ventimiglia, seen here during a portrait shoot in Los Angeles, joined the show as Luke's nephew and later Rory's boyfriend, Jess.

Ventimiglia, seen here at AFI FEST 2024's Hollywood premiere of "Heretic," went on to have a leading role in NBC drama series "This Is Us."

Melissa McCarthy played kooky but talented inn chef and Lorelai's best friend Sookie St. James during her time on "Gilmore Girls." She's seen here at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.

McCarthy went on to create massive movie success for herself following the show, including in "Bridesmaids," "Can Your Ever Forgive Me?" and the 2023 adaptation of "The Little Mermaid." Here, she attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, for which she's been nominated twice, at The Beverly Hilton on Jan. 5, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.

Jared Padalecki, seen here at the "Tuck Everlasting" premiere, joined the show as Rory's first boyfriend, Dean.

After "Gilmore," Padalecki has become best known for his role as Sam Winchester in the TV series "Supernatural." He's seen here at the "Hollywood Grit" Los Angeles premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on Aug. 21, 2025.

Former model-turned-actor Chad Michael Murray was cast in "Gilmore Girls" as Rory's classmate and love interest, Tristan.

Murray went on to star in the teen drama series "One Tree Hill" and movies "A Cinderella Story" and "Freaky Friday." He reprised his role in sequel "Freakier Friday," and was seen at the 2025 film's U.K. premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 31, 2025, in London.

Keiko Agena, seen here during the Second AMMY Awards For Asian American Entertainment at Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 2001, played Rory's best friend Lane Kim.

Keiko Agena went on to star in Fox crime drama "Prodigal Son" and later on Netflix's "The Residence," for which she attended the 2025 premiere in Los Angeles.

Kelly Bishop, seen at the "Gilmore Girls" 100th episode celebration in 2005, starred as Lorelai's mother, Emily Gilmore.

Bishop reprised her role in the 2016 "Gilmore Girls" miniseries, and released a 2024 memoir, titled "The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir." Here, she attends the 2025 Gotham Television Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

Yanic Truesdale, seen here during a WB network party at Il Fornaio Restaurant in Pasadena, California, joined "Gilmore Girls" as snarky inn concierge Michel Gerard.