What is the name of Lorelai Gilmore's father?

Lorelai Gilmore’s father is Richard Gilmore.

Richard, portrayed by Edward Herrmann, is the husband of Emily Gilmore and the father of Lorelai in “Gilmore Girls.” He is also Rory Gilmore’s grandfather. Richard comes from a wealthy Hartford family, attended Yale, and built a career as a successful insurance executive before later pursuing other professional ventures.

Richard and Emily’s financial support is central to the series’ setup. When Lorelai needs money for Rory’s tuition at Chilton, her parents agree to help in exchange for weekly Friday night dinners. Those dinners become one of the show’s most important recurring settings, bringing the three generations of the Gilmore family together while exposing their very different values.

Richard often appears formal and traditional, but his relationship with Lorelai is more affectionate and complicated than their disagreements initially suggest. He shares Lorelai’s interest in business and takes particular pride in Rory’s education, helping encourage her path to Yale. Richard’s death before the revival profoundly affects both Lorelai and Emily, making his absence an important part of “A Year in the Life.”