Which actress played Emily Gilmore, Lorelai's mother, on "Gilmore Girls"?

Kelly Bishop played Emily Gilmore, Lorelai's mother, on "Gilmore Girls."

Emily is the polished, demanding Gilmore family matriarch whose relationship with Lorelai drives much of the show's emotional story. After Lorelai became pregnant as a teenager and left home to raise Rory independently, mother and daughter remained distant for years.

Their connection resumes when Lorelai needs financial help paying for Rory's education. Emily agrees, but attaches a condition: Lorelai and Rory must attend weekly Friday-night dinners at the Gilmore home. Those dinners become a setting for arguments, affection, social expectations, and gradual reconciliation.

Bishop brought extensive stage experience to the role. She originated Sheila in the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line" and won a 1976 Tony Award for that performance. She also appeared as Mrs. Houseman in "Dirty Dancing." Bishop reprised Emily in the 2016 revival "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life," following the onscreen death of her longtime costar Edward Herrmann.