Career Timeline of Lauren Graham: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Lauren Graham built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Lauren Graham is an accomplished American actress and author widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, earning her a Golden Globe nomination. She also starred as Sarah Braverman in Parenthood. Her film credits include roles in Sweet November, Bad Santa, and Evan Almighty. Beyond acting, Graham is a published author, having written the novel Someday, Someday, Maybe, and a memoir, Talking as Fast as I Can. She returned to the role of Lorelai Gilmore in the Gilmore Girls Netflix revival miniseries, A Year in the Life.
1988: Earned Actor's Equity Card and Graduated from Barnard College
In 1988, Lauren Graham earned her actor's Equity Card after two years in summer stock at the Barn Theatre and graduated from Barnard College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature.
1992: Earned MFA from Southern Methodist University
In 1992, Lauren Graham earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting Performance from Southern Methodist University after moving to Texas.
1994: Portrayal of Striker
In 1994, Lauren Graham worked as a tutor and made publicity appearances wearing the costume of Striker, the dog mascot of the US-based FIFA World Cup.
1995: Relocation to Hollywood
In 1995, Lauren Graham relocated to Hollywood and appeared in various commercials.
1997: Guest Star on NBC Shows
In 1997, Lauren Graham continued appearing as a regular guest star on several NBC shows, including Caroline in the City, Seinfeld, Law & Order, and NewsRadio.
2000: Landed Role on Gilmore Girls
In 2000, Lauren Graham landed her breakthrough role on Gilmore Girls as Lorelai Gilmore.
2001: Appearance in Sweet November
In 2001, Lauren Graham appeared in the film Sweet November.
2003: Appearance in Bad Santa
In 2003, Lauren Graham appeared in the film Bad Santa.
2005: Appearance in The Pacifier
In 2005, Lauren Graham appeared in the film The Pacifier.
2007: Appearance in Because I Said So and Evan Almighty
In 2007, Lauren Graham appeared in the films Because I Said So and Evan Almighty.
2007: Development Deal with NBC and Voice-Over Work for Kellogg's Special K
In 2007, Lauren Graham signed a seven-figure development deal with NBC and worked as the voice-over announcer in national advertising for Kellogg's Special K products.
2008: Voice-Over for American Express Plum Card
In 2008, Lauren Graham worked as the voice-over announcer in American Express ads introducing the Plum Card, which targets small and growing businesses.
January 2009: Starred in the Comedy Pilot The Bridget Show
In January 2009, Lauren Graham starred in the comedy pilot The Bridget Show for ABC, playing a talk show host and self-help guru. However, the pilot was not given a series order.
February 5, 2009: Broadway Debut in Guys and Dolls (Previews)
On February 5, 2009, Lauren Graham made her Broadway debut as Miss Adelaide in the revival of Guys and Dolls, which began preview performances at the Nederlander Theatre.
March 1, 2009: Broadway Debut in Guys and Dolls (Official Opening)
On March 1, 2009, Lauren Graham officially opened in her Broadway debut as Miss Adelaide in the revival of Guys and Dolls at the Nederlander Theatre.
September 2009: Voiced Fran Lockwood in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
In September 2009, Lauren Graham voiced the character Fran Lockwood in the Sony Pictures Animation film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
October 2009: Replaced Maura Tierney in Parenthood
In October 2009, Lauren Graham replaced Maura Tierney in the television series Parenthood as single mother Sarah Braverman, due to Tierney seeking treatment for cancer.
June 2010: Cast in Scream 4
In June 2010, Lauren Graham was confirmed to star in Scream 4.
June 30, 2010: Departure from Scream 4
On June 30, 2010, Lauren Graham left the project Scream 4.
2010: Appearance in Parenthood
In 2010, Lauren Graham appeared in Parenthood (2010-15)
July 2012: Guest Judge on Project Runway
In July 2012, Lauren Graham was a guest judge in the first episode of Season 10 of the reality television series Project Runway.
April 30, 2013: Release of Someday, Someday, Maybe
On April 30, 2013, Lauren Graham's debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, was released by Ballantine Books.
2013: Publication of Someday, Someday, Maybe
In 2013, Lauren Graham published her debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, with Ballantine Books.
2015: Appearance in Max, The Odd Couple and Repeat After Me
In 2015, Lauren Graham appeared in the film Max, playing the mother of an American marine, and also appeared recurrently in The Odd Couple and in an episode of Repeat After Me.
October 2016: Appearance in Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
In October 2016, Lauren Graham appeared in Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, playing the mother of Griffin Gluck's character.
November 2016: Publication of Talking as Fast as I Can
In November 2016, Lauren Graham's second book, a collection of personal essays titled Talking as Fast as I Can: from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between), was published and became a New York Times best seller.
2016: Reprising Role in Gilmore Girls Revival and Publication of Memoir
In 2016, Lauren Graham reprised her role on the Gilmore Girls Netflix revival miniseries A Year in the Life and published a memoir, Talking as Fast as I Can.
October 2017: Appearance in Curb Your Enthusiasm
In October 2017, Lauren Graham appeared in three episodes of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. She also voices the character Oxana Hauntley in the Disney Junior animated series Vampirina.
2017: Adapted The Royal We into a Screenplay
In mid-2017, Lauren Graham adapted the novel The Royal We into a screenplay for CBS Films.
2020: Featured Actress on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
From 2020 to 2021, Lauren Graham was a featured actress on the NBC show Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. She played Zoey's boss, Joan.
2021: Starred in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
From 2021 to 2022, Lauren Graham starred as Alex Morrow in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, a Disney+ television series based on the 1992 film.
November 2022: Publication of Have I Told You This Already?
In November 2022, Lauren Graham published a second book of personal essays, Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember.
2022: Starred in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
From 2021 to 2022, Lauren Graham starred as Alex Morrow in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, a Disney+ television series based on the 1992 film.
2024: Cast in Twinless
In 2024, Lauren Graham was cast in David Permut's movie Twinless.
2025: Starring in The Z-Suite
In 2025, Lauren Graham is starring in The Z-Suite, streaming on Tubi, with co-star Nico Santos.
Mentioned in this timeline
Home Box Office HBO is an American pay television service...
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
Sony Group Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate based in...
The National Broadcasting Company NBC is a major American commercial...
The New York Times NYT is a prominent American newspaper...
News encompasses information about current events disseminated through various media...
Trending
Malcolm-Jamal Warner is an American actor musician and poet best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the iconic...
Derrick Henry nicknamed King Henry is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens He is...
Teddy Bridgewater is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers He played college football at...
Darren Charles Waller is an American football tight end for the New York Giants He was drafted by the Baltimore...
2 months ago Jake Ferguson signs four-year, $52M contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys.
6 days ago Tina Turner Honored with Statue: Hometown Celebrates the Queen of Rock
Popular
Charlie Kirk is an American right-wing political activist entrepreneur and...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...
Chuck Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New...
Turning Point USA TPUSA is a conservative nonprofit organization founded...
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international...
Paracetamol also known as acetaminophen is a commonly used over-the-counter...