Independent, 30-something single mom who runs a local inn with a deep love for pop culture and coffee.

Precocious and driven only-daughter of Lorelai, almost 16 at the start of the show.

Lorelai's chirpy best friend and chef/co-owner at the inn.

Rory's best friend who lives a secret life, defying her strict, religious mother by becoming a rocker.

The grumpy French concierge at Lorelai and Sookie's inn.

Grouchy but kind-hearted diner owner; Lorelai's friend and eventual love interest.

Matriarch of the Gilmore family, who lives as a high society housewife.

Intellectual patriarch of the Gilmore family, who works in insurance.

Rory's feisty nemesis and eventual friend throughout high school and college.

Rory's season 1–3 boyfriend, who moved to Stars Hollow from Chicago.

Luke's troubled nephew who falls for Rory and becomes an intense but short-lived boyfriend.

Quirky resident of Stars Hollow who works numerous jobs around the town.

Lorelai's season 4 boyfriend and Richard's business partner.

Rory's season 5–7 boyfriend, the heir of a New York Times-Esque publishing family resembling that of the Ochs-Sulzberger family.