Gilmore family matriarch Emily Gilmore, as portrayed by actress Kelly Bishop.
First appearance
"Pilot" (Gilmore Girls)
Last appearance
"Fall" (Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life)
Created by
Amy Sherman-Palladino
Portrayed by
Kelly Bishop
In-universe information
Full name
Emily Gilmore
Occupation
Housewife Socialite Whaling museum docent DAR chapter president
Family
Rory Gilmore (granddaughter) Lorelai "Trix" Gilmore (mother-in-law; deceased) Luke Danes (son-in-law) Christopher Hayden (ex-son-in-law) Hope (sister)
Spouse
Richard Gilmore
(m. 1964; died 2014)
Children
Lorelai Gilmore (daughter)
Emily Gilmore is a fictional character who appears in the American comedy-drama television series Gilmore Girls (2000–2007) and its revival Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016) as the matriarch of the eponymous family. Portrayed by actress Kelly Bishop, the character was created by series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino in order to add a tragic element to the show's light-hearted nature. Emily has had a complicated relationship with her daughter Lorelai ever since the character ran away at sixteen to raise her newborn daughter Rory on her own. They remain distant for several years until Lorelai asks her parents to help pay for Rory's schooling, to which Emily agrees on the condition that her daughter and granddaughter visit them for dinner every Friday evening.
One of the show's central storylines, Emily's relationship with Lorelai remains strained for the majority of the series, improving incrementally over time. Bishop, who prefers portraying acerbic over nice women, based her performance on her own grandmother. In Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Emily, recently widowed after the passing away of Richard, continues to mourn his death from which she struggles to move on. The death of her co-star and close friend Edward Herrmann, who portrayed Richard, was written into the revival; Bishop used her character's storyline about adjusting to life without her husband to cope with her own grief over Herrmann's passing, as well as drawing upon inspiration from the death of her own mother. The actress nearly did not reprise her role in the revival due to her own husband's health at the time.
Bishop's performances in both the original series and its sequel have been positively received by television critics. Critics and audiences were initially divided over the character's personality, debating her unlikeability and whether or not she is a bad mother. However, their opinions towards Emily have softened in retrospect, growing to sympathize with the character and defend her as one of the show's most complex characters who truly cares for the well-being of her family members. Despite being accused of classism and racism in regards to the way in which she treats her maids, Emily's arc in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, in which she takes on a more central role, has been widely acclaimed by critics and fans alike, becoming a fan favorite and experiencing renewed popularity. Critics and fans have since dubbed her the "third Gilmore girl", after Lorelai and Rory.
EmilyGilmore is a fictional character who appears in the American comedy-drama television series Gilmore Girls (2000–2007) and its revival Gilmore Girls:...
Gilmore Girls (styled on-screen as Gilmore girls) is an American comedy-drama television series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Lauren Graham...
included on lists of "top TV moms". Lorelai Victoria Gilmore was born to Richard and EmilyGilmore on April 25, 1968. Named after her paternal grandmother...
Lorelai Gilmore Lorelai Gilmore, portrayed by Lauren Graham, is the only daughter of Richard and EmilyGilmore and the mother of Rory Gilmore. At 16,...
actress and dancer, best known for her roles as matriarch EmilyGilmore on the series Gilmore Girls and as Marjorie Houseman, the mother of Jennifer Grey's...
local diner. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
Lorelai Leigh "Rory" Gilmore is a fictional character from the WB/CW television series Gilmore Girls portrayed by Alexis Bledel. She first appeared in...
Rory's boyfriend. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
She is best known for her roles as Rory Gilmore on the television series Gilmore Girls (2000–2007) and Emily Malek in The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2021)...
lot of jobs. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
works many jobs. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
Rory's boyfriend. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
Dean's rival. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
Lorelai's boyfriend. Kelly Bishop as EmilyGilmore, Lorelai's mother and Rory's grandmother. Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore, Lorelai's father and Rory's grandfather...
Forbidden Paradise Caroline Holden TV movie 1996 A Face to Die For EmilyGilmore TV movie Talk to Me Diane Shepherd TV movie Heaven or Vegas Rachel 1997...
Emily Keiko Kuroda (born October 30, 1952) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Mrs. Kim on TV's Gilmore Girls, but she has had a...
supernatural horror film The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), Francie Jarvis on Gilmore Girls (2001–2003), Annie O'Donnell on the ABC series Men in Trees (2006–2008)...
accident, EmilyGilmore (Bleeth) is left scarred both physically and mentally. The large scar on her face is a constant reminder to Emily that her career...
Gilmore Guys is an audio podcast that follows comedian Kevin T. Porter and writer/performer Demi Adejuyigbe as they watch every episode of the television...
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. He portrayed Jack Smith, an old friend of Richard Gilmore, who becomes the boyfriend or companion of widow Emily Gilmore...
Leonard was married to actress Kelly Bishop, who played EmilyGilmore on the CW show Gilmore Girls as well as Marjorie Houseman in Dirty Dancing. He was...
gold was published in 1908 and Poems by Emily Gillmore Alden was published in 1909. Emily Gillmore (or, "Gilmore") Alden was born in Boston, Massachusetts...
Virginia Gilmore (born Sherman Virginia Poole, July 26, 1919 – March 28, 1986) was an American film, stage, and television actress. Virginia Gilmore was born...
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