Lauren Helen Graham (born March 16, 1967) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for playing Lorelai Gilmore on the WB Network dramedy series Gilmore Girls and Sarah Braverman on Parenthood.
Early life[]
Graham was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of Donna Grant, a fashion buyer, and Lawrence Graham, a candy industry lobbyist[1] who is the current president for National Confectioners Association. She is of Irish descent and was raised Catholic.[2] Graham's parents divorced when she was five, and Graham moved to Washington, D.C., where her father became a congressional staffer. She traveled extensively with her father while growing up. While she was close with her dad, she recalls, “I think he thought I was an oddball, because I was very driven and ambitious.”[3]
At a young age, Graham rode horses competitively, but soon switched to acting.[3] Graham discovered acting while in elementary school and further honed her talent at Langley High School, where she took part in the drill team.[4] Graham took to acting in community theatre and other small productions. She earned her actor's equity card in 1988 after two years in summer stock at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan. Graham graduated from Barnard College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After moving to Texas in 1992, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Acting Performance from Southern Methodist University.
Career[]
After completing her education, Graham moved back to New York City where she became a waitress and aspiring actress, including her first paid work doing publicity appearances wearing the costume of Striker, the dog mascot of the US-based 1994 FIFA World Cup.[5] In 1995, she relocated to Hollywood, California. She appeared in various commercials for products such as Dimetapp and Lean Cuisine and hosted free preview weekends on The Movie Channel.
In addition to her many guest starring and co-starring roles on prime-time television, Graham starred in three failed sitcoms, including Townies (with Molly Ringwald and Jenna Elfman) and the short-lived sitcom Lush Life (with Lori Petty and Karyn Parsons). Between 1996 and 1997, Graham became a regular guest star on several hit NBC shows. She played a graduate student who caught the eye of Dick on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Richard's dim-witted girlfriend on Caroline in the City, and Jerry's speed-dial ranking girlfriend on Seinfeld. She played a Hollywood producer who had a love interest in Rey Curtis in a three-part episode of Law & Order, where she acted opposite Scott Cohen, who would later play one of Graham's love interests, Max Medina, on Gilmore Girls. She also portrayed a villainous efficiency expert on Newsradio.
In 2000, Graham landed her breakthrough role as Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. For her work she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series (Drama) at the 2001 Golden Globe Awards. Beginning with Season 7 episode "To Whom It May Concern" and continuing throughout the rest of the season, Graham served as a producer on Gilmore Girls. TV Guide reported that she received the position in an attempt to persuade her to sign for an eighth season.[6][7]
Graham returned to her guest-starring roots when she portrayed herself in two episodes of NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Graham has also appeared on Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, co-hosted by Dave Foley of Newsradio. After winning her preliminary match, she came in second to another former Newsradio star, Maura Tierney, in the championship game.
Graham's film roles encompass several NYU student films and multiple major studio releases, including Sweet November, Bad Santa, The Pacifier, Because I Said So, and Evan Almighty.
Graham has said that she enjoys playing in short films, and acting in the Williamstown Theatre Festival.[8] She has performed in numerous short films, including the 15-minute long Gnome. In 2007, Graham signed a seven-figure development deal with NBC in one of the year's richest TV talent pacts.[9]
Graham has also worked as the voice-over announcer in national advertising for Kellogg's various Special K products, and in American Express ads introducing the Plum Card, which is targeted towards small and growing businesses.[10]
Graham made her Broadway debut as Miss Adelaide in the revival of Guys and Dolls, which began preview performances at the Nederlander Theatre on February 5, 2009 and opened on March 1, 2009. Initial reviews for this performance have been mixed, but generally regard her fresh take on the character as a success. The production closed June 14, playing 113 shows and 28 previews.[11][12]
It was announced in January 2009 that Graham would star in the comedy pilot, The Bridget Show (previously Let It Go) for ABC playing a talk show host and self-help guru who fails to follow her own advice during a breakup. However, the pilot was not given a series order.[13][14]
On October 9, 2009, it was announced that Graham would replace Maura Tierney in the television series Parenthood as single mother Sarah Braverman. Tierney left the show to seek treatment for cancer.[15] The series debuted on NBC the following year, and was later renewed for a second season.[16]
In June 2010, it was confirmed that Graham would star in the upcoming Scream 4,[17] but she left the project on June 30, 2010.[18]
Personal life[]
Graham is currently in a relationship with her Parenthood co-star, Peter Krause, whom she began dating in 2010. She and Krause play brother and sister on the show.[19] Graham previously dated Friends star, Matthew Perry, as well as Tate Donovan and Mark Blucas.
Filmography[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | Caroline in the City | Shelly | 5 episodes |
| 1996 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Laurie Harris | Episode: "Dick's First Birthday" |
| 1996 | Good Company | Liz Gibson | TV series |
| 1996 | Townies | Denise Garibaldi Callahan | 15 episodes |
| 1997 | Nightwatch | Marie | |
| 1997 | Law & Order | Lisa Lundquist | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Seinfeld | Valerie | Episode: "The Millennium" |
| 1997 | NewsRadio | Andrea | 4 episodes |
| 1998 | Confessions of a Sexist Pig | Tracy | |
| 1998 | One True Thing | Jules | |
| 1998 | Conrad Bloom | Molly Davenport | 7 episodes |
| 1999 | Dill Scallion | Kristie Sue | |
| 2000 | M.Y.O.B. | Opal Marie Brown | Episode: "Bad Seed" Episode: "Boys in the Band" |
| 2000–2007 | Gilmore Girls | Lorelai Gilmore | 154 episodes |
| 2001 | Sweet November | Angelica | |
| 2001 | Chasing Destiny | Jessy James | TV movie |
| 2002 | Family Guy | Mother Maggie (voice) | Episode: "Road to Europe" |
| 2002 | The Third Wheel | Woman at Party (uncredited) | |
| 2003 | Bad Santa | Sue | |
| 2004 | Seeing Other People | Claire | |
| 2005 | Lucky 13 | Abbey | |
| 2005 | The Life Coach | Dr. Sue Pegasus | |
| 2005 | The Amateurs | Peggy | |
| 2005 | The Pacifier | Principal Claire Fletcher | |
| 2005 | Gnome | Amanda | Short film |
| 2006 | Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Studio 60 Host (Self) (uncredited) | Episode: "The Long Lead Story" Episode: "The Wrap Party" |
| 2007 | Because I Said So | Maggie | |
| 2007 | Evan Almighty | Joan Baxter | |
| 2008 | Birds of America | Betty Tanager | |
| 2008 | Flash of Genius | Phyllis Kearns | |
| 2009 | The Bridget Show | Bridget O'Shea | ABC Pilot - not picked up |
| 2009 | The Answer Man | Elizabeth | |
| 2009 | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs | Fran Lockwood (voice) | |
| 2010 | It's Kind of a Funny Story | Lynn | |
| 2010–2015 | Parenthood | Sarah Braverman | 103 episodes |
| 2012 | Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Geoff Peterson (voice) | Episode: "8.62" |
| 2012 | Go On | Amy | Episode: "Dinner Takes All" |
| 2012 | Project Runway | Herself | |
| 2014 | Web Therapy | Grace Tiverton | |
| 2014 | A Merry Friggin' Christmas | Luann Mitchler | |
| 2015 | The Late Late Show | Guest Host | |
| 2015 | The Odd Couple | Recurring | |
| 2015 | Repeat After Me | Herself | |
| 2015 | Max | Pamela Wincott | |
| 2016 | Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life | Jules Khatchadorian | |
| 2016 | Joshy | Katee |
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Family Television Awards | Won | Actress | Gilmore Girls (Tied with Jane Kaczmarek for Malcolm in the Middle) |
| 2002 | Golden Globe Award | Nominated | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama | Gilmore Girls |
| 2005 | People's Choice Awards | Nominated | Favorite Female Television Star | |
| 2002 | Satellite Award | Nominated | Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Gilmore Girls |
| 2003 | Nominated | Gilmore Girls | ||
| 2004 | Nominated | Gilmore Girls | ||
| 2005 | Nominated | Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Gilmore Girls | |
| Outstanding Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical | ||||
| 2001 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Nominated | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | Gilmore Girls |
| 2002 | Nominated | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | Gilmore Girls | |
| 2005 | Teen Choice Award | Won | Choice TV Parental Units | Gilmore Girls |
| 2006 | Won | Choice TV Parental Units | Gilmore Girls | |
| 2010 | Nominated | Choice TV Parental Units | Parenthood | |
| 2002 | Television Critics Association Award | Nominated | Individual Achievement in Drama | Gilmore Girls |
| 2006 | Nominated | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Comedy | Gilmore Girls |
References[]
- ↑ Lauren Graham Biography (1967-)
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Template:Cite news
- ↑ Lee, Luaine. Graham's 'Gilmore Girls' success took a while to build, Scripps Howard News Service, February 1, 2005. Accessed July 13, 2008.
- ↑ GilmoreGirls.org : Recent News
- ↑ Template:Citation/make link. Template:Citation/make link. http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Grahams-Gilmore/800007139. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
- ↑ Template:Citation/make link. Template:Citation/make link. http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/01/huzzah_to_produ.html. Retrieved 2007-01-30.
- ↑ O'Neil, Tom. Transcript: Our Emmy chat with 'Gilmore Girls' star Lauren Graham, LA Times, June 13, 2007. Accessed July 13, 2008.
- ↑ Adalian, Josef. Lauren Graham inks NBC deal, Variety, September 17, 2007. Accessed July 13, 2008.
- ↑ Elliott, Stuart. Q & A with Stuart Elliott, The New York Times, June 2, 2008. Accessed July 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Gilmore Girls" Star Graham Cast in Guys and Dolls Revival
- ↑ Adelaide's New Lament: Broadway's Guys and Dolls to Close June 14
- ↑ Template:Citation/make link. Template:Citation/make link. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Lauren-Graham-Go-1002280.aspx. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ↑ Template:Cite news Template:Dead link
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ "Lauren Graham Finds Relationship with Peter Krause 'So Easy' ", Dahvi Shira,September 09, 2010 People
External links[]
Template:Wikiquote
- Template:IMDb name
- Template:Tv.com person
- Lauren Graham cast bio on The CW Official Site
- Lauren Graham returns to primetime
- Lauren Graham at TriviaTribute.com