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We haven't gotten a new installment of Gilmore Girls in quite awhile (although our fingers are still crossed for A Year In The Life season 2!). But, no matter what time of year it is, we're always deep into a series re-watch — just to make sure we don't miss a single detail. And to our surprise, there were WAY more familiar faces than we remembered or ever initially noticed in the first place.
Take a break from figuring out which Rory Gilmore boyfriend is actually the best, and revisit these surprising (before they were) celebrity cameos from the show’s history.
Here are our favorite 'Gilmore Girls' celebrity cameos!
Adam Brody
Image via Monica Schipper/Getty Images
When you think about it, future Seth Cohen’s role as Lane’s season three bandmate and eventual boyfriend Dave was the perfect fit for a pre-The O.C. Adam. He returns as rabbi Noah Roklov for the season 3 premiere of Netflix's hit romantic comedy Nobody Wants This.
Jon Hamm
Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Pre-Don Draper, Jon had a part in the season three episode “Eight O’Clock at the Oasis.” His character and Lorelai met at an auction and went on a date, but she later said it was terrible and he was never seen again.
Jane Lynch
Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Alzheimer's Association California
Way back in season one, Jane played a nurse who was at the mercy of a flustered Emily when Richard ended up in the hospital. In the same year, Jane starred in the hilarious mockumentary Best in Show, and of course went on to star in Glee. Now she's heading back to McKinley High! Following news that a Glee reboot has officially been greenlit, fans are already buzzing to see how Sue Sylvester handles a return to television.
Krysten Ritter
Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Before she was Jessica Jones, Krysten had roles on lots of great TV shows, like Veronica Mars, Breaking Bad and, it turns out, Gilmore Girls. Lucy was one of Rory’s Yale friends, and we saw quite a bit of her in Gilmore Girls season 7. She is set to star in and executive produce an HBO Max series adaptation of her 2025 psychological thriller novel, Retreat. Plus, Marvel fans can look forward to her reprising her iconic role as Jessica Jones in Daredevil: Born Again.
Max Greenfield
Image via Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Hey, it’s another Veronica Mars and GG alum! Max played Luke (no, not THAT Luke) and went to Dean’s bachelor party in GG season four. Now, of course, you know him as Schmidt on New Girl. He stars in the film Don't Say Good Luck and the comedy project Let's Have Kids! alongside an ensemble cast featuring Karen Gillan and Zoë Chao.
Danny Pudi
Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The future Community star had only a couple small acting roles under his belt when he played a Yale newspaper writer in GG seasons six and seven.
Nick Offerman
Image via Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
That’s right, even Ron Swanson made his mark in Stars Hollow. Nick played the total opposite to his Parks and Rec character as Jackson’s brother Beau, showing up in two episodes in seasons four and six.
Seth McFarlane
Image via Jerod Harris/Getty Images for TCM
The Family Guy creator played a couple of different roles in GG, first as a business school classmate of Lorelai’s in season two, and in season three as Emily’s lawyer.
Matt Jones
Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Hey, it’s Badger! From Breaking Bad! Matt’s season two episode was actually his debut acting role (aww). You might remember him helping Jackson deep-fry a turkey.
Ben Falcone
Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Yep, Melissa McCarthy’s IRL hubby was also on the show! We wish this was their meet-cute, but alas they met years before he showed up for an episode where Lorelai learns that Fran’s family would be selling the Dragonfly Inn.
Riki Lindhome
Image via Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for The 2024 MAKERS Conference
You know Riki now as one half of Garfunkel and Oates, but she’s also had a couple of appearances on GG as a member of the Life and Death Brigade.
What other celebrity cameos have you spotted in old Gilmore Girls episodes? Let us know over on Instagram!
Lead image via Warner Bros./The CW
This post has been updated.
