Lauren Graham

Lauren Graham

Graham at PaleyFest 2013's panel for Parenthood
Born Lauren Helen Graham
March 16, 1967
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Occupation Actress, producer, novelist
Years active 1995–present
Partner(s) Peter Krause (2010–present)

Lauren Helen Graham (born March 16, 1967) is an American actress, producer and novelist. She is best known for playing Lorelai Gilmore on the WB Network dramedy series Gilmore Girls and Sarah Braverman on Parenthood.

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[1] who has been president of the National Confectioners Association.[2][3] Graham was raised in her father's Catholic faith (her maternal grandfather was a Baptist minister);[4] she is of Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry.[5][6] 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).[7] 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,[8] and lived in London until her death at age 61.[9][10] Graham has a half-sister and a half-brother from her father's second marriage and a British half-sister from her mother's second marriage, Shade Grant, who works at a talent agency.[9][11]

As a girl, Graham rode horses competitively, but soon switched to acting,[12] honing her talent at Langley High School, where she took part in the drill team and graduated in 1984.[13] She earned her actor's Equity Card in 1988[14] 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 in English Literature.[15][16] After moving to Texas in 1992, Graham earned a Master of Fine Arts in Acting Performance from Southern Methodist University.[17]

Career

Acting

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.[9][15] 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.[9] 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.

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. 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. She was meant to be the permanent replacement for the departing "Newsradio" regular Khandi Alexander, but viewers disliked the character.

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.[18][19]

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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24][25]

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.[26][27] 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.[28] The series debuted on NBC the following year, and was later renewed for a second season.[29]

In June 2010, it was confirmed that Graham would star in the upcoming Scream 4,[30] but she left the project on June 30, 2010.[31]

In July 2012, Graham was a guest judge in the first episode of Season 10 of the reality television series Project Runway.

Writing

Graham's debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe: A Novel (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.[32] In May 2013, the book entered the New York Times best seller list.[33] Graham signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television and Ellen DeGeneres' production company A Very Good Production to adapt it into a TV series.[34] She will write the script for The CW.[35]

Personal life

Graham dated Matthew Perry, whom she met in 2002.[36][37] She has been in a relationship with her Parenthood co-star Peter Krause since 2010.[38] Graham owns an apartment in Manhattan and a house in Los Angeles.[39]

Filmography

Graham at the Evan Almighty premiere, 2007
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Nightwatch Marie
1998 Confessions of a Sexist Pig Tracy
One True Thing Jules
1999 Dill Scallion Kristie Sue
2001 Sweet November Angelica
2002 Third Wheel, TheThe Third Wheel Woman at Party (uncredited)
2003 Bad Santa Sue
2004 Seeing Other People Claire
2005 Lucky 13 Abbey
Life Coach, TheThe Life Coach Dr. Sue Pegasus
Amateurs, TheThe Amateurs Peggy
Pacifier, TheThe Pacifier Principal Claire Fletcher
Gnome Amanda Short film
2007 Because I Said So Maggie
Evan Almighty Joan Baxter
2008 Birds of America Betty Tanager
Flash of Genius Phyllis Kearns
2009 Answer Man, TheThe Answer Man Elizabeth
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Fran Lockwood (voice)
2010 It's Kind of a Funny Story Lynn
2014 A Merry Friggin' Christmas Luann Mitchler
2015 Max Filming
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1995–1996 Caroline in the City Shelly 5 episodes
1996 3rd Rock from the Sun Laurie Harris Episode: "Dick's First Birthday"
Good Company Liz Gibson 6 epiosodes
Townies Denise Garibaldi Callahan 15 episodes
1997 Law & Order Lisa Lundquist 3 episodes
Seinfeld Valerie Episode: "The Millennium"
NewsRadio Andrea 4 episodes
1998 Conrad Bloom Molly Davenport 13 episodes
2000 M.Y.O.B. Opal Marie Brown 4 episodes
2000–2007 Gilmore Girls Lorelai Gilmore Lead role
Also producer (season 7)
2001 Chasing Destiny Jessy James TV movie
2002 Family Guy Mother Maggie (voice) Episode: "Road to Europe"
2006 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Studio 60 Host (uncredited) Episode: "The Long Lead Story"
Episode: "The Wrap Party"
2009 Bridget Show, TheThe Bridget Show Bridget O'Shea TV pilot
2010–2015 Parenthood Sarah Braverman Lead Role
103 Episodes
Season 1–6
2011 Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Geoff Peterson (voice) Episode: "8.62"
2012 Go On Amy Episode: "Dinner Takes All"
Project Runway (Season 10) Herself Episode: "A Times Square Anniversary Party"
Guest judge
2014 Web Therapy (Season 4) Grace Tiverton Episode: "Smile Through the Pain"
Episode: "In Angus We Trust"
2015 The Odd Couple Gaby Madison Recurring
2015 Repeat After Me Herself 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Series Result
2001 Family Television Awards Actress Gilmore Girls Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2002 Golden Globe Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
Television Critics Association Award Individual Achievement in Drama Nominated
2003 Satellite Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical Nominated
2004 Satellite Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical Nominated
2005 People's Choice Awards Favorite Female Television Star Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical Gilmore Girls Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Parental Units Won
2006 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Parental Units Won
Television Critics Association Award Outstanding Individual Achievement in Comedy Nominated
2010 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Parental Units Parenthood Won

References

  1. ↑ Lauren Graham Biography (1967–)
  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 19 October 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 19 October 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. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 GilmoreGirls.org : Recent News
  10. ↑ Hochman, David. "Lauren Graham, TV's Favorite Single Mom". More. p. 2. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  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. ↑ 15.0 15.1 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 Players Blog: Celebrity Poker Player: Lauren Graham
  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. Retrieved October 28, 2008.
  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. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (April 20, 2010). "Breaking: NBC renews 'Parenthood'". TV Guide. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  30. ↑ Miska, Brad (June 16, 2010). "Gilmore Girl MILF Heads to Michigan for 'Scream IV'". Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  31. ↑ Miska, Brad (June 30, 2010). "Lauren Graham Cut from 'Scream IV' Due to Date Conflict?". Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham – Book – eBook – Audiobook". Randomhouse.com. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Best Sellers – HARDCOVER FICTION". The New York Times. May 19, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (August 16, 2013). "Lauren Graham's Book Adaptation Lands at CW With Script Commitment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  36. ↑ Hollywood Life Staff (February 17, 2010). "Lauren Graham Explains Why She's Okay With Being 42 And Single". Hollywood Life. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Matthew Perry & Lauren Graham on "Piers Morgan Live" (July 26, 2013)". YouTube. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  38. ↑ "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.
  39. ↑ Minzesheimer, Bob (April 29, 2013). "Actress Lauren Graham writes a 'girly' debut novel". USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2013.

External links

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