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Lauren Graham
Graham at the 2014 Voice Awards
Born	Lauren Helen Graham (1967-03-16) March 16, 1967 (age 57) Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Alma mater	Barnard College Southern Methodist University
Occupation(s)	Actress, novelist
Years active	1995–present
Partner	Peter Krause (2010–present)

Lauren Helen Graham (born March 16, 1967) is an American actress and author. She is best recognized for her role as Lorelai Gilmore on the television series Gilmore Girls (2000–07), for which she received two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, one Golden Globe nomination, and five Satellite Award nominations. She is also known for film roles in Sweet November (2001), Bad Santa (2003), The Pacifier (2005), Because I Said So (2007), and Evan Almighty (2007). From 2010 to 2015, Graham starred as Sarah Braverman on the NBC television drama Parenthood.

Graham published her debut novel in 2013, Someday, Someday, Maybe, with Ballantine Books. She reprised her role as Lorelai Gilmore on Netflix's reunion miniseries in 2016, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and published a memoir, Talking as Fast as I Can: from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between).

Early life

Lauren Graham was born on March 16, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Donna Grant, was a fashion buyer, and her father, Lawrence Graham, is a candy industry lobbyist who has been president of the National Confectioners Association. Graham was raised in her father's Catholic faith (her maternal grandfather was a Baptist minister); she is of Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. When Graham's father worked for the Agency for International Development in Vietnam, Lauren lived for a few years in Japan (her mother also grew up there, as the daughter of a missionary). Graham was five years old when her parents divorced and she moved to Alexandria, Virginia with her father, who became a congressional staffer, while her mother left to pursue an artistic career, and lived in London until her death at age 61. Graham has a half-sister and a half-brother from her father's second marriage and a British half-sister, Shade Grant, from her mother's second marriage, who works at a talent agency.

As a girl, Graham rode horses competitively, but soon switched to acting, honing her talent at Langley High School, where she took part in the drill team and graduated in 1984. 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 Literature. After moving to Texas in 1992, Graham earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting Performance from Southern Methodist University.

Career

1994–99: Beginnings

After completing her education, Graham moved back to New York City where she earned her living as a waitress and tutor teaching SAT test prep for The Princeton Review. While she aspired to become an actress, she made publicity appearances wearing the costume of Striker, the dog mascot of the US-based 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 1995, she relocated to Hollywood. She appeared in various commercials for products such as Dimetapp and Lean Cuisine and hosted free preview weekends on The Movie Channel.

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 overly-optimistic 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 an antagonizing but friendship-starved efficiency expert on Newsradio. In addition to her many guest starring and co-starring roles on prime-time television, Graham starred in four failed sitcoms, including Townies (with Molly Ringwald and Jenna Elfman), the short-lived sitcom Lush Life (with Lori Petty and Karyn Parsons), and M.Y.O.B, which was burned off by NBC in the summer months before the premiere of Gilmore Girls.

2000–08: Gilmore Girls and film roles

In 2000, Graham landed her breakthrough role as Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls - a witty "thirty-something" raising her teenage daughter in small town Connecticut. For her work she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series (Drama) at the 2002 Golden Globe Awards and nominations at the 2001 and 2002 SAG 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.

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 in the second season of 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. 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. Graham has also worked as the voice-over announcer in national advertising for Kellogg's various Special K products in 2007, and for American Express ads in 2008 introducing the Plum Card, which is targeted towards small and growing businesses.

2009–present: Broadway debut, Parenthood and book deal

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. Reviews for the play were mixed. The production closed June 14, playing 113 shows and 28 previews.

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. In October 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. The series debuted on NBC the following year, and ran for a total of six seasons.

In June 2010, it was confirmed that Graham would star in the upcoming Scream 4, but she left the project on June 30, 2010. In July 2012, Graham was a guest judge in the first episode of Season 10 of the reality television series Project Runway.

Graham's debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe (2013), a work based on a fictionalization of her experiences in the New York acting scene in the mid-1990s, was released via hardcover, e-book and author-read audiobook formats on April 30, 2013 by the Ballantine Books imprint of Random House. In May 2013, the book entered the New York Times best seller list. Graham signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television and Ellen DeGeneres' production company A Very Good Production to adapt it into a TV series. She will write the script for The CW. Graham also reprised her role as Lorelai Gilmore on Netflix's reunion series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Her memoir, Talking as Fast as I Can: from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between), was released on November 29, 2016.

Personal life

In 1999, Graham was roommates with actress Connie Britton. Graham on "Piers Morgan Live" (July 26, 2013)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVfrXyRw0xA%7Cwebsite=YouTube%7Caccessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref> She has been in a relationship with her Parenthood co-star Peter Krause since 2010. Graham owns an apartment in Manhattan and a house in Los Angeles. Graham remains involved with her Catholic faith by occasionally attending Mass. She is a registered Democrat.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

1. "Lauren Graham Biography (1967-)". filmreference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
2. Knutzen, Eirik (December 24, 2000). "The Dog Days Are Long Gone Lauren Graham's First Role Was A Canine Mascot. Now She Stars In A Show Critics Love". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
3. Negrin, Matt (April 4, 2012). "10 Questions With ... Larry Graham". ABC News. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
4. "Lauren Graham Capitol File interview". Crushable. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
5. Masterson, Teresa (April 28, 2010). "Lauren Graham: The Girl (You Wish Lived) Next Door". NBC. Retrieved August 13, 2010. I'm Irish Catholic,...
6. "Lauren Graham". IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
7. Hiltbrand, David (May 11, 2010). "A replacement, and a revelation Former "Gilmore Girls" star Lauren Graham brings special qualities to her new role in "Parenthood."". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
8. Miller, Kenneth. "Lauren Graham: Independent Spirit". Ladies' Home Journal. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
9. ^ "GilmoreGirls.org : Recent News". gilmoregirls.org. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
10. Hochman, David. "Lauren Graham, TV's Favorite Single Mom". More. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
11. Meyers, Kate (December 1, 2010). "Lauren Graham chills out and finds love". Parade. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
12. Kaplan, Jales (July 12, 2009). "Lauren Graham: 'My Life Is My Job'". Parade.
13. Lee, Luaine. Graham's 'Gilmore Girls' success took a while to build, Scripps Howard News Service, February 1, 2005. Accessed July 13, 2008
14. "Television's Gilmore Girl is reborn a Doll". Toronto Star. March 2, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
15. ^ Chastain, Emma (April 17, 2013). "Lauren Graham on Writing, Procrastinating, and Her Favorite Authors". The Barnes & Noble Book Blog. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
16. Mortarboard 1988. Barnard College. 1988. p. 181.
17. "Lauren Graham: Acting Is Being The Real You". SMU Magazine. May 13, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
18. Ausiello, Michael (January 29, 2007). "Graham's Gilmore Role Expands!". TV Guide. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
19. Fienberg, Daniel (January 30, 2007). "Huzzah to 'Producer Lauren Graham'". Zap2it. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
20. "Celebrity Poker Player: Lauren Graham". celebrity-poker-player.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
21. O'Neil, Tom. Transcript: Our Emmy chat with 'Gilmore Girls' star Lauren Graham, Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
22. Adalian, Josef. Lauren Graham inks NBC deal, Variety, September 17, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
23. Elliott, Stuart. Q & A with Stuart Elliott, The New York Times, June 2, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
24. Gans, Andrew (October 28, 2008). ""Gilmore Girls" Star Graham Cast in Guys and Dolls Revival". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 31, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
25. Jones, Kenneth (June 9, 2009). "Adelaide's New Lament: Broadway's Guys and Dolls to Close June 14". Playbill. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
26. "Pilot News: Lauren Graham's New Show Is a Go!". TV Guide. January 30, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
27. Andreeva, Nellie (January 30, 2009). " 'Let It Go' gets go-ahead at ABC". Reuters. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
28. Abrams, Natalie (October 9, 2009). "Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham Takes Starring Role in Parenthood". TV Guide. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
29. Miska, Brad (June 16, 2010). "Gilmore Girl MILF Heads to Michigan for 'Scream IV'". Retrieved June 16, 2010.
30. Miska, Brad (June 30, 2010). "Lauren Graham Cut from 'Scream IV' Due to Date Conflict?". Retrieved June 1, 2010.
31. "Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham – Book – eBook – Audiobook". Randomhouse.com. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
32. "Best Sellers – HARDCOVER FICTION". The New York Times. May 19, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
33. Andreeva, Nellie (June 11, 2013). "Lauren Graham To Adapt Her Debut Novel into TV Series Produced By Ellen DeGeneres". Deadline.com. PMC. Retrieved June 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
34. Goldberg, Lesley (August 16, 2013). "Lauren Graham's Book Adaptation Lands at CW With Script Commitment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
35. "Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham - PenguinRandomHouse.com". penguinrandomhouse.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
36. Pearl, Diana. "9 Pairs of Celebs who Bunked Up as Roommates". PEOPLE. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
37. "Peter Krause Talks Keeping Relationship With Co-Star Lauren Graham Secret". Access Hollywood. October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014. Peter explained to Billy Bush and Kit Hoover that they prefer to not put their relationship, which has been going on for four years, in the spotlight.
38. Minzesheimer, Bob (April 29, 2013). "Actress Lauren Graham writes a 'girly' debut novel". USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
39. ^ Eric Spitznagel. "Parenthood's Lauren Graham Is Not Afraid to Hump a Chair to Get a Movie Role". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
40. "Lauren Graham's Style File". MORE Magazine. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
41. Dawson, T (October 3, 2014). "Bad Movie Review: The Third Wheel". Gambit Magazine. Retrieved August 17, 2016.

External links

• Lauren Graham at IMDb
• Lauren Graham on Twitter
• "LAUREN GRAHAM as LORELAI GILMORE". cwtv.com. Burbank, CA, USA: The CW Television Network. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

• 1967 births
• Actresses from Honolulu
• Actresses from Virginia
• American film actresses
• American people of Scottish descent
• American people of English descent
• American people of Irish descent
• American Roman Catholics
• American television actresses
• American voice actresses
• Barnard College alumni
• Columbia University alumni
• Living people
• People from Fairfax County, Virginia
• Writers from Honolulu
• Southern Methodist University alumni
• 21st-century American novelists
• American women novelists
• 20th-century American actresses
• 21st-century American actresses
• Writers from Virginia
• 21st-century women writers
• American expatriates in Japan