Once a resident of Stars Hollow, always a resident of Stars Hollow. At least, that's how we'd like to imagine the picture-perfect, albeit fictional, "Gilmore Girls" small town. The cozy Connecticut suburb was a revolving door of suitors, villainous infiltrators and, of course, cameos by household names before they were household names. Part of the joy of looking back on a series that ran from 2000 to 2007 is keeping an eye out for familiar faces in all their youthful early-aughts glory. So we've rounded up a handy guide to the most famous "Gilmore Girls" guest stars in the show's history, spotlighting the actors and actresses who got their start in Hollywood orbiting an impeccably well-dressed Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.
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Maybe you forgot that these stars guested on "Gilmore Girls" or just haven't spotted them on a rewatch. Or, maybe... you haven't revisited the landmark drama since it aired (gasp) — in which case, you're in for a treat. Below, we list a bevy of (mostly) actors who had small but mighty roles in the series. Want to see a pre-"Parks and Rec" Nick Offerman goof around, or be gobsmacked by a fresh-faced Jon Hamm? We've got you covered.
We ought to note that there are a few "Gilmore Girls" guest stars we left off this list, either because they're not actors or because they were already well-known when they stepped into Stars Hollow. That includes Carole King, who provided the iconic theme song and made a couple appearances throughout the series. Legendary crooner Paul Anka also guested, but, you know, he's Paul Anka.
Check out our picks for the most notable "Gilmore Girls" guest stars, their impact on the series and which episodes you can catch them in.
Jon Hamm
The WB
Years before his Emmy-winning turn as Don Draper on "Mad Men," Jon Hamm played the much less suave Peyton Sanders. After meeting Lorelai at an auction, Peyton treated her to maybe the worst first (and only) date in TV history.
Season 3, Episode 5: "Eight O'Clock at the Oasis"
Rami Malek
The WB
Oscar-winning "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Mr. Robot" star Rami Malek paid his dues with a teeny-tiny role as Lane's dorky classmate Andy in Season 4. Even the smallest onscreen moments can live on in TV history, though — like Andy's throwback sweater vest.
Season 4, Episode 11: "In the Clamor and the Clangor"
Chad Michael Murray
The WB
Early-aughts heartthrob Chad Michael Murray was popular guy Tristin Dugray on "Gilmore Girls" before he was Lucas Scott on "One Tree Hill." He's best remembered for having the hots for Rory, then ditching Chilton for the military academy in Season 2.
Season 1, Episodes 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 21
Season 2, Episode 9: "Run Away, Little Boy"
Seth MacFarlane
The WB
"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane made two separate guest appearances on "Gilmore Girls" in 2002 and 2003. He played Lorelai's business school classmate Zach in Season 2 and a lawyer named Bob in Season 3.
Season 2, Episode 21: "Lorelai's Graduation Day"
Season 3, Episode 11: "I Solemnly Swear"
Arielle Kebbel
The WB
Hallmark star Arielle Kebbel (any "A Bride for Christmas" fans out there?) had a recurring role throughout "Gilmore Girls" Seasons 3, 4 and 5 as Dean's put-upon wife Lindsay, whom he cheated on with Rory. Tough break for our girl, who would go on to star in "Aquamarine," "John Tucker Must Die" and recur on "90210."
Season 3, Episodes 15, 17, 19
Season 4, Episodes 4, 15, 18, 20
Season 5, Episodes 1, 2
Adam Brody
The WB
It just feels right that "The OC" star Adam Brody should also have a "Gilmore Girls" credit — and a juicy one, at that. He appeared throughout Season 3 as Dave Rygalski, Lane's secret boyfriend who binged the entire Bible to win her mother's approval. We're still writing think pieces about why Dave is the best boyfriend in "Gilmore Girls" history.
Season 3, Episodes 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20
Leslie Odom Jr.
The WB
Before battling a demon in 2023's "The Exorcist: Believer," scoring an Oscar nomination for "One Night in Miami..." and winning a Tony for his groundbreaking portrayal of Aaron Burr in "Hamilton," icon-in-the-making Leslie Odom Jr. was, as Rory dubbed him, "pompous Princeton guy."
Season 6, Episode 16: "Bridesmaids Revisited"
Jane Lynch
The WB
Remember when Richard was rushed to the hospital after the Christmas party in Season 1? Yeah, his nurse was none other than iconic comedian Jane Lynch, who would go on to play Sue Sylvester in "Glee" and scoop up a handful of Emmys.
Season 1, Episode 10: "Forgiveness and Stuff"
Krysten Ritter
The CW
"Jessica Jones" and "Breaking Bad" alum Krysten Ritter will forever be remembered as that one artsy girl who convinced Rory to streak dye her hair. She appeared as college student Lucy in the final season of "Gilmore Girls," and, like all women of Stars Hollow, dealt with some hefty boy drama.
Season 7, Episodes 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 19, 21
Nick Offerman
The WB
Let's face it: No one is a better guest star than "Parks and Recreation" alum Nick Offerman. Whether you prefer his heartbreaking (and Emmy-nominated) turn in "The Last of Us" Episode 3 or his drunken mayor Karl Weathers in "Fargo" Season 2, Offerman is always a great idea. He chewed up the scenery as Jackson's ridiculous brother Beau Belleville in Seasons 4 and 6 of "Gilmore Girls."
Season 4, Episode 7: "The Festival of Living Art"
Season 6, Episode 4: "Always a Godmother, Never a God"
Madeleine Albright
The WB
Okay, so she's not an actor and she was most definitely famous before heading to Stars Hollow. But the late Madeleine Albright's wacky Season 6 cameo had to make our list of iconic "Gilmore Girls" guest spots. She was the first female Secretary of State, and in 2005, she came to Rory in a dream and wished her a happy birthday. The power of this show!
Season 6, Episode 7: "Twenty-One Is the Loneliest Number"
